He told himself that success was merely a question of time and patience.

The business of tracing these people, who were not to be found by any public inquiry, would be slow and wearisome no doubt.
He was prepared for that.

He was prepared for a thousand failures and disappointments before he alighted on the one place in which Mr.
Holbrook's name must needs be known, the town or village nearest to the farm-house that had been lent to him.

And even if, after unheard-of trouble and perseverance on his part, he should find the place he wanted, it was quite possible that Marian and her husband would have gone elsewhere, and his quest would have to begin afresh.

But he fancied that he could hardly fail to obtain some information as to their plan of life, if he could find the place where they had stayed after their marriage.
His own scheme of action was simple enough.