Arthur curiously asked Donovan: "You have gone to such a far away place. Can you tell me about the situation there?"
Speaking of Africa, Donovan immediately became interested.
"Africa is a good place. There is plenty of sunshine all year round. It's not like the damn UK, where except for strong winds, there are cold rainy days."
Jabi nodded in agreement at this moment.
"The resources there are very rich and the land is very cheap. You only need to invest a little money and you will get huge returns."
You can feel the Fraser family's second son's love for Africa both inside and outside his words.
Arthur had never been to Africa in his previous life. After listening to Donovan's story, he couldn't help but arouse even greater interest. "Can you tell me more about the minerals there?"
"There is endless crude oil, that is, petroleum, and there are countless gold mines. There is no need to dig for the gold there. You only need to bend down and you can easily pick it up."
At this point, Donovan may have felt that he had gone too far, so he hurriedly added: "Of course, I only heard about this, but there are uranium mines there."
"uranium?"
This raw material for making atomic bombs immediately attracted Arthur's attention.
But Donovan didn't seem very willing to talk about uranium. He just explained perfunctorily: "Uranium is a chemical metal used for dyeing."
Arthur frowned slightly. He didn't know whether Donovan didn't know or was deliberately deceiving him.
The carriage finally arrived at the Rose Manor of the Fraser family. It is said that this place was built by the first Marquis Fraser himself and has a history of three to four hundred years.
On the huge black iron door, there are engraved two swans facing each other with bent necks, and blooming roses are coiled around them. This is the coat of arms of the Fraser family.
It is said that because swans represent purity and loyalty, the Fraser family has played the role of tax collectors in Scotland for many generations.
A spacious bluestone road in the manor leads directly to the center of the manor. Neat and straight redwood trees line both sides of the road. Behind it is an endless lawn. Every blade of grass on it seems to have been measured by a ruler. It is smooth and dense. It's like a layer of green carpet is spread on the ground.
Jabi couldn't help complaining: "It would be great if it didn't rain. We could ride horses and go to the back mountains to play."
Arthur was still in shock. He had heard people say that Edin Castle covers an area of more than 35,000 square meters, but now that he saw the Fraser family's Rose Manor, it seemed to be larger.
Moreover, the gardens here are full of the flavor of the Renaissance, solemn and noble yet elegant and gorgeous.
Arthur asked unconsciously: "How many people do your family need to hire to keep this manor the way it is now?"
Jabi scratched his head. He really hadn't cared about this problem before and couldn't help but look at Donovan.
Donovan introduced proudly: "When I left, there were still almost 50 servants in the house."
"It's such a big family."
Arthur sighed heartily.
At this time, Donovan's expression became very gloomy.
Jabi knew what he was thinking, because the future owner of this place will be revealed today.
He knew that he had no chance at all, but now it seemed that Donovan's chance was not very great.
The carriage traveled three or four miles on the bluestone road before finally arriving in front of the castle.
This is a European-style castle with three main high-rise buildings connected into one. The red tiles and white walls have graceful undulating curves, which also makes the hierarchy of the house more distinct.
Arthur stopped in front of the old castle and made some calculations in his mind. There must be at least fifty or sixty rooms in it. This was the first time he had seen such a gorgeous castle with his own eyes. It was indeed a manor named after a rose.
In front of the castle gate, four maids stood in a row, waiting for them respectfully.
"Welcome home, Master Donovan, Master Jabby."
The housekeeper Delia stepped forward eagerly and took over the coats of the three of them.
She is about forty years old, with a head full of blond curly hair, and fair and delicate skin. It can be seen that she must have been a rare beauty when she was young.
"Long time no see, Delia. This is my friend, Arthur Conan Doyle."
Jabi stepped forward and hugged the housekeeper enthusiastically.
"Hello, ma'am."
Arthur took her hand and kissed her gently like he was a noble.
Such respect made Delia very happy.
"I have heard about you, Mr. Doyle, and you are now our great hero in Scotland. But I am still a lady, so please call me Delia!"
Arthur didn't expect that such an attractive woman was not married yet, so he couldn't help but have some strange thoughts in his heart.
The three of them followed Delia to the hall. It was only around three o'clock in the afternoon, but it was already brightly lit.
Rows of finely crafted sterling silver candlesticks were placed in the four corners of the room.
Jabi's father, Basil Fraser, was sitting on the sofa, drinking black tea and reading the newspaper leisurely.
After seeing the three people come in, the old man looked very happy, "My children, you are finally back."
Donovan and Jabi also stepped forward and hugged their father.
When Jabi introduced Arthur, the old man extended his hand enthusiastically, "Welcome to be our guest, Arthur, can I call you that?"
"Of course, your lord, Jabi and I are good friends."
Arthur held Jabi's father's hand, and he could clearly feel that the old man's hand was trembling slightly.
Old Basel smiled, "Then you're welcome, kid, just call me Uncle Basel!"
Old Basel was much kinder than he thought, without the seriousness and arrogance of the old nobles.
It's just that the sunken eye sockets and the lack of blood in his cheeks made him look less kind.
Based on Arthur's previous life experience, he could tell that Jabi's father was terminally ill, but this state made him feel very confused.
At the same time, he compared Jabi's chin with that of old Basel, but it seemed that he had discovered an even bigger shocking secret.
At this time, a beautiful lady about thirty years old came in.
She is Jabi's sister-in-law Fianna. She is mainly responsible for the housework in the castle. Especially since the old man is in poor health recently, she also takes on the responsibility of taking care of her father-in-law.
After Arthur and the two brothers met their eldest sister-in-law, the old man Basel asked his eldest daughter-in-law unhappily: "Is Jobani not back yet?"
"It should be soon. As you know, the dock has been a little busy recently, and Rachel and the others haven't arrived yet!"
In order to cover for her husband Jobani, Fianna had to carry Basel's only daughter out.
Sure enough, after hearing his daughter's name, old Basel snorted heavily and angrily. It seemed that if Arthur, the guest, was not there, he would probably start to curse.
The three of them chatted with the old man for a while, then went back to their rooms and changed into dry clothes. Then Jabi took Arthur to explore the castle.
