My mother was content to be alone, my sister asleep, and no prospect of being able to do anything until daybreak.

Under those circumstances what more natural than that I should fly to you as fast as my feet would carry me?
You have a clear head, Jack; speak out, man, and tell me what I should do.

Esther, what should I do ?" He turned from one to the other of us with outstretched hands and eager, questioning eyes.
"You can do nothing while the darkness lasts," I answered.

"We must report the matter to the Wigtown police, but we need not send our message to them until we are actually starting upon the search, so as to comply with the law and yet have a private investigation, as your mother wishes.

John Fullarton, over the hill, has a lurcher dog which is as good as a bloodhound.