Before becoming a devotee, what was Hemadpant's attitude towards Gurus, and what event triggered his doubts?

Before he came to Shirdi, the author Hemadpant was not a believer but rather a cynical and logic-driven individual. Chapter 2 describes him as mischievous, talkative, and proud of his own wisdom, with a mind prone to argumentation. His skepticism towards the power of Gurus was sharply triggered by a personal tragedy that befell his close friend. As detailed in Chapter 2, his friend's only son died from a sudden fever, even though his own Guru was present and all remedies were tried. Witnessing this made Hemadpant's mind very restless, and he questioned, "Is this the utility of a Guru? He couldn't even save an only son!" This event solidified his doubt, making him believe that destiny and karma were unchangeable forces against which even a Guru was powerless.