The Case of the 16 Beans

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.