Even if we had known the number it would have taken some time to discover the house; but without that information it was simply impossible.

We did try.

Jack took the left of the street and began knocking at the odd numbers, starting from 229; while I attacked the even numbers on the right side.

But as far as we went no one knew of a Flanagan, and we had to give it up.
It was half-past nine when we finally abandoned the search and turned our faces Citywards once more.
"Horrid sell," said Jack.

"We shall have to find out where his brother's office is from the Directory, and get at him that way." We walked back hard.