He sometimes makes awful mistakes in business.

For instance, some years ago he bought an enormous estate on the Adriatic, in the country they call the "Land of Blue Mountains." At least, he says he bought it.

He told father so in confidence.

But he didn't show any title-deeds, and I'm greatly afraid he was "had." A bad job for me that he was, for father believes he paid an enormous sum for it, and as I am his natural heir, it reduces his available estate to so much less.
And now about Rupert.

As I have said, he ran away when he was about fourteen, and we did not hear about him for years.