1
The Case of the 16 Beans
by Harry Stephen Keeler
Author of "The Case of the Two Strange Ladies," "The Case of the Lavender Gripsack," etc., etc.
Why did old Balhatchet Barkstone, on dying, leave his nephew 16 beans?
Why did Boyce Barkstone, the heir, hold on to the beans?
Why did Hu Fong, a Chinese detective, come to the conclusion that a poverty-stricken hermit was murdered for an article of great value, and what might that article be?
Why did Hutchcock McDolphus, dealer in hides, refuse to accept any price whatsoever for a simple book costing $3.50 ?
These are only a few of the seemingly insoluble riddles which Keeler answers, in his own inimitable manner, in his latest mystery-adventure.
The CASE of the 16 BEANS
by Harry Stephen Keeler
Author of:
"The Case of the Two Strange Ladies," "The Case of the Lavender Gripsack," etc., etc.
PHOENIX PRESS
Publishers :: New York
COPYRIGHT 1944 BY PHOENIX PRESS
All rights reserved, including the right to reproduce this book, or portions thereof, in any form.
Printed in the United States of America
To
EDWIN CHARLES MAYER
"pal" and ever-eager companion in those olden, golden days of marbles and baseball bats, fishlines and swimming holes--days that are truly golden because he was part of them!
Chapter I
BEQUEST
Boyce Barkstone leaned forward in his chair, aghast.
"And do you mean to tell me," he repeated, unbelievingly,