The Four-Pools Mystery

by Jean Webster

"The Four-Pools Mystery" by Jean Webster is a novel written in the early 20th century. The story revolves around a young lawyer named Arnold Crosby, who becomes embroiled in the peculiar happenings at the Four-Pools Plantation, including the appearance of a ghost and a series of mysterious thefts. Central to the narrative is Radnor Gaylord, the plantation owner's son, whose reckless behavior and connections to the escalating supernatural occurrences draw Arnold into a web of family secrets and intrigue. The opening of the novel introduces Arnold Crosby, who is recently exhausted from a challenging forgery case when he decides to visit the Four-Pools Plantation to recuperate. Upon arriving, he is introduced to Radnor Gaylord, who despite his charm, has a somewhat checkered reputation in the community. As Arnold seeks to reconnect with his Southern roots, he is quickly swept into the plantation's mysteries involving ghostly apparitions and the theft of valuable bonds from a safe. With hints of familial tensions and the potential for scandal looming over Radnor, the stage is set for a blend of humor, mystery, and the exploration of personal integrity amid the backdrop of Southern culture.