He was well acquainted with the laws of his country, and knew how to appeal to them; and, besides his professional confidence, his natural disposition was steady, sedate, persevering, and undaunted.

With these requisites he undertook a quest which, at that time, was not unattended with actual danger, and had much in it to appal a more timid disposition.
Fairford's first inquiry concerning his friend was of the chief magistrate of Dumfries, Provost Crosbie, who had sent the information of Darsie's disappearance.

On his first application, he thought he discerned in the honest dignitary a desire to get rid of the subject.
The provost spoke of the riot at the fishing station as an 'outbreak among those lawless loons the fishermen, which concerned the sheriff,' he said, 'more than us poor town council bodies, that have enough to do to keep peace within burgh, amongst such a set of commoners as the town are plagued with.' 'But this is not all, Provost Crosbie,' said Mr.Alan Fairford; 'A young gentleman of rank and fortune has disappeared amongst their hands--you know him.

My father gave him a letter to you--Mr.Darsie Latimer.' 'Lack-a-day, yes! lack-a-day, yes!' said the provost; 'Mr.Darsie Latimer--he dined at my house--I hope he is well ?' 'I hope so too,' said Alan, rather indignantly; 'but I desire more certainty on that point.

You yourself wrote my father that he had disappeared.' 'Troth, yes, and that is true,' said the provost.