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Page 22
The Six Napoleons
'I think not. I fancy we can attain our end in a simpler way. I can't say for certain, because it all depends - well, it all depends upon a factor which is completely outside our control. But I have great hopes - in fact, the betting is exactly two to one - that if you will come with us to-night I shall be able to help you to lay him by the heels.'
'In the Italian Quarter?'
'No, I fancy Chiswick is an address which is more likely to find him. If you will come with me to Chiswick to-night, Lestrade, I'll promise to go to the Italian Quarter with you to-morrow, and no harm will be done by the delay. And now I think that a few hours' sleep would do us all good, for I do not propose to leave before eleven o'clock, and it is unlikely that we shall be back before morning. You'll dine with us, Lestrade, and then you are welcome to the sofa until it is time for us to start. In the meantime, Watson, I should be glad if you would ring for an express messenger, for I have a letter to send and it is important that it should go at once.'
Holmes spent the evening in rummaging among the files of the old daily papers with which one of our lumber-rooms was packed. When at last he descended, it was with triumph in his eyes, but he said nothing to either of us as to the result of his researches.
Attain: Reach, manage
End: Here it means 'intention, purpose'
Factor: Something which must be included in a plan or calculation
Express messenger: Someone who take a message straight to its address
Rummaging: Looking without a plan
Lumber-rooms: Room used for storing things
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