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 CODES FOR
HOMEOWNERS
Updated rd Edition

Electrical • Mechanical • Plumbing • 2uilding

3urrent with 5- 7 3odes

2ruce 1. 2arker

MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA
First published in 2015 by cool Springs Press, acquisitions editor: Mark Johanson
an imprint of Quarto Publishing Group USa Inc., Design Manager: Brad Springer
400 First avenue North, Suite 400, Minneapolis, MN 55401 layout: Danielle Smith-Boldt
author: Bruce Barker
© 2015 Quarto Publishing Group USa Inc. Illustration: Bruce Barker
additional Illustration: Mark abdellah
all rights reserved. With the exception of quoting brief passages for the pur- Photography: rau + Barber
poses of review, no part of this publication may be reproduced without prior Photo assistance: Jon Hegge
written permission from the Publisher. cover Photo: rau + Barber

The information in this book is true and complete to the best of our knowl- Printed in china
edge. all recommendations are made without any guarantee on the part of 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
the author or Publisher, who also disclaims any liability incurred in connec-
tion with the use of this data or specific details.

cool Springs Press titles are also available at discounts in bulk quantity for
industrial or sales-promotional use. For details write to Special Sales Man-
ager at Quarto Publishing Group USa Inc., 400 First avenue North, Suite 400,
Minneapolis, MN 55401 USa. To find out more about our books, visit us online
at www.coolspringspress.com.
Digital edition: 978-1-62788-605-5
Softcover edition: 978-1-59186-906-1
library of congress cataloging-in-Publication Data
Barker, Bruce a.
codes for homeowners : electrical, mechanical, plumbing, building, current
with 2015-2017 codes / by Bruce a. Barker.
pages cm.
at head of title: Black & Decker.
Summary: "Detailed step-by-step photos and how-to information explaining
the current codes necessary for homeowners to follow when doing home
remodeling or improvement"-- Provided by publisher.
ISBN 978-1-59186-906-1 (paperback)
1. House construction--Standards--Popular works. 2. Building laws--United
States--Popular works. 3. Dwellings--Maintenance and repair--Pictorial works
I. Title. II. Title: Black & Decker codes for homeowners.
TH4815.5.B365 2015
690'.8021873--dc23

2014038250
ISBN: 978-1-59186-906-1

Codes for Homeowners

created by: The editors of cool Springs Press, in cooperation with Black+Decker.
Black+Decker and the Black+Decker logo are trademarks of The Black & Decker corporation and are used under license. all rights reserved.

NOTICE TO READERS
For safety, use caution, care, and good judgment when following the procedures described in this book. The publisher
and Black+Decker cannot assume responsibility for any damage to property or injury to persons as a result of misuse
of the information provided.
The techniques shown in this book are general techniques for various applications. In some instances, additional
techniques not shown in this book may be required. always follow manufacturers’ instructions included with products,
since deviating from the directions may void warranties. The projects in this book vary widely as to skill levels required:
some may not be appropriate for all do-it-yourselfers, and some may require professional help.
consult your local building department for information on building permits, codes, and other laws as they apply to
your project.
Contents
Codes for Homeowners
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Codes & Permits: The Basics . . . . . . . . . 6
Building Design & Safety . . . 17
Habitable Rooms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Fire Separations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Stairways . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Emergency Escape Openings. . . . . . . . 28
Egress Doors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Exterior Doors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Door & Window Hazards . . . . . . . . . . . 32
Ventilation & Exhaust. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
Smoke & Carbon Monoxide Alarms. . . 40
Structural Components . . . . 43
Foundations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
Crawlspaces. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50
Decks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52
Floor Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60
Wall Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68
Wall Penetration Flashing . . . . . . . . . . 82
Roof Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84
Exterior Components . . . . . 95
Shingle Roof-Covering Installation . . . . 96
Fireplaces & Chimneys . . . . . . . . . . . 102
Heating & Switch Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 210
Air Conditioning. . . . . . . . . 107 Light Fixture Installation . . . . . . . . . . 212
HVAC Appliances . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 108 Satellite Dishes, Television
& Radio Antennas. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 216
HVAC Duct Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . 114
Broadband Cable Wiring . . . . . . . . . . 218
Combustion Air
for Fuel-burning Appliances. . . . . . . . 116
Vents for Fuel-burning Appliances. . . 119 Appendix . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 220
Plumbing System. . . . . . . . 123 Conversion Chart. . . . . . . . 232
The Home Plumbing System . . . . . . . 128 Resources. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 233
Water Supply Piping . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 129 Photography Credits . . . . . 233
Drain, Waste & Vent Piping (DWV) . . . 135
Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 234
Plumbing Vents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 146
Plumbing Traps. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 154
Plumbing Appliances & Fixtures . . . . 155
Electrical System . . . . . . . . 167
Understanding Electrical Circuits. . . . 171
Electrical Grounding & Bonding . . . . . 182
Electrical Branch
Circuit Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . 187
Electrical Receptacle Installation. . . . 196
Ground-fault (GFCI)
& Arc-fault (AFCI) Protection . . . . . . . 200
Junction Boxes, Device Boxes
& Enclosures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 202
Introduction
T he purpose of the 2015 International Residential Code (IRC), and of all building codes for that matter,
is expressed in IRC Section R101.3: “The purpose of this code is to establish minimum requirements to
safeguard the public safety, health, and general welfare…” This statement provides important information about
building codes and code inspections. Building codes are minimum requirements. A house built to minimum
requirements is not necessarily a high quality house built by craftsmen according to best practices. Code
inspections are about safety and health. They are not about fit, finish, and other cosmetic issues. They are not
even about functional issues that are not specifically addressed in the code. Understanding the purpose of
building codes helps you set realistic expectations about the limits of building codes and code inspections.
Building codes change; most do so on a three year cycle. Many code changes are little more than rewording
or reorganization in an attempt to make code provisions easier to understand and easier to find. Many code
changes and additions are substantive and homeowners should be aware of these as they perform repairs
and remodeling projects. Substantive additions and changes are the reasons for this updated edition of Codes
for Homeowners.
One substantive change and addition to the 2015 IRC involves the section on decks and we have expanded
the deck section of this book to reflect these changes. Decks are one of the most frequent sources of injuries and
fatalities of any structure in and around the home. The expanded decks section provides important information
to help you build a deck that complies with 2015 IRC requirements. It will also point you to information that will
help you go beyond minimum code requirements and build your deck according to best practices.
Another substantive change to the 2015 IRC involves energy efficiency requirements. We all want to use
less energy in our homes, not only to save the environment but to save money. We have added a significant new
section to this edition of Codes for Homeowners that will not only help you understand new IRC requirements,
but also provides tips on how you can save energy and save money.
Trying to condense a 900-page code book that is mostly text and tables in very small print into significantly
fewer pages filled with pictures and illustrations is a challenge. We have not included many code provisions
because homeowners will not use them. The provisions we include have been simplified to make them easier
to understand. This means that Codes for Homeowners is not your local building code. Your local building code,
as interpreted by your building inspector, is the code with which you must comply. You must do so even if you
do not obtain a building permit for your work. If you have any doubts or questions about how a building
code provision applies in your area, you should ask your local building inspectors. In almost every
case, if you approach them as a resource and not as an obstacle, you will find your local inspectors to be friendly,
knowledgeable, and eager to help.

—Bruce A. Barker
Residential Combination Inspector
International Code Council

■ 5
 Codes & Permits: The Basics
I n just the United States you will find hundreds of
code books describing thousands upon thousands
of building code provisions. On top of this, there
are even more books that look and feel like code
books but are really only attempting to describe best
practices. Almost all of these have their own inherent
value. But almost none of them apply to a typical
■ The International Residential Code
The International Residential Code (IRC) 2012 is
one of an extensive collection of model building codes
published by the International Code Council (ICC).
A model building code is a recommended building
code that is developed by a national organization that
specializes in writing building codes. When adopted
■ State & Local Building Codes
Almost all areas of the United States have
adopted some version of a building code. Some
states, such as California, Florida, and New York,
have a state building code. Some large cities,
such as Chicago and New York City, have a city
building code. Many of these state and local
building codes are based on model building
codes from the ICC.
The International Residential Code has no jurisdiction of
its own but is the basis for many state and local residential
building codes.
6 ■ CODES FOR HOMEOWNERS
homeowner living in a typical single-family home. As
a homeowner and DIYer, perhaps the hardest thing
about building codes is learning how to tell which one
applies to you and, if there is a disagreement, which
takes precedence. As an introduction, here are some
brief biographies of the more common codes and
enforcement agencies you’re likely to encounter.
by a government agency, the IRC regulates the
construction, renovation, maintenance, and repair
of buildings used as homes. The IRC, by itself, has
no formal legal status. A government agency must
first adopt the IRC before it has any legal status in a
local area.
Smaller cities and counties often use ICC model
building codes, such as the IRC. Some rural areas may
not have adopted a building code, but this is becoming
a rare situation. If you do any work that is regulated
by the local building code, you are responsible for
knowing, or for hiring someone who knows, the
applicable building code where the building is located.
Ignorance of the code is no excuse.
Some states and cities have their own building codes.
■ Local Code Amendments
Most building departments that use the IRC adopt
local changes to the IRC. Many of these changes are
minor and help to adapt the IRC to local conditions
and needs. Some of these changes can significantly
alter IRC provisions. The building department
should publish, in writing, any changes adopted
by the local government. You are responsible for
knowing and complying with all local changes.
Ask the building official if there are any local
code changes.

Most jurisdictions have their own code amendments. Your

city or municipality likely maintains a website with building
ordinances posted and updated regularly.

■ Other Building Codes

The IRC is not the only building code. Other The IECC regulates energy-related aspects of
commonly used building codes include: The all buildings. These aspects include: insulation, air
International Building Code (IBC), The International infiltration, and window and door energy efficiency.
Mechanical Code (IMC), The International Plumbing The IRC contains a simplified subset of the IECC in
Code (IPC), The Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC), IRC Chapter Eleven.
The International Fuel Gas Code (IFG), The National You should know which codes apply to your
Electrical Code (NEC), and The International construction project. Ask your local building official
Energy Conservation Code (IECC). Each of these which codes apply in your area.
building codes regulates a different aspect of
building construction.
The IBC regulates the structural aspects of all
buildings, although it is not commonly applied to
residential buildings. The IBC usually applies to
commercial, industrial, and multi-family buildings
such as apartments. The IRC references the IBC and
the IECC when a part of a residential building is not
addressed by the IRC.
Each major system in a building has its own
code. The IMC regulates heating, ventilation, and
air conditioning systems; the IPC regulates plumbing
systems; and the IFG regulates gas piping and gas
equipment. These codes usually apply to commercial-
type buildings. The UPC is a separate code, published
by another code-writing organization, that also
regulates plumbing systems. It may replace the IRC
plumbing chapters in areas that adopt the UPC. The
NEC regulates electrical systems. The IRC contains
an adapted version of the NEC in the IRC electrical Trade-oriented building codes with a more specific focus
chapters. When the IRC does not address an electrical apply in some situations. Most of these are primarily for
situation in a home, the NEC usually applies. nonresidential construction.

Introduction ■ 7
 ■ Zoning Ordinances
Many areas, particularly the more densely populated
ones, have land use and zoning ordinances that control
what you can build on your property. You are responsible
for knowing and complying with them. In larger
jurisdictions, the planning and zoning department may
be separate from the building inspection department,
and sometimes one does not know what the other
■ Buildings Governed by the IRC
Apply the IRC to buildings containing one or two
individual residential dwelling units in one building.
Duplex is a common term for one building containing
two individual dwelling units.
Apply the IRC to townhouses. A townhouse
contains at least 3 individual dwelling units in
one building.
Each dwelling unit in any building within scope
of the IRC must have a separate means of egress. This
is often interpreted to mean that each dwelling unit
must have a separate door to the outside.
Apply the IRC to residential buildings with not
more than 3 stories above grade plane. A story above
grade plane is: (a) one where the finished floor is
entirely above grade plane, or (b) is more than 6 feet
above grade plane, or (c) is more than 12 feet above
finished ground level at any point. The definition
of grade plane is complex and is measured at the
Apply the IRC to all single-family homes.
8 ■ CODES FOR HOMEOWNERS
is doing. It is possible that the building inspection
department might issue a permit that would create
a zoning violation. Projects that might run afoul of
zoning ordinances include new, free-standing buildings,
basement remodels that add a bedroom, bathroom, and
kitchen, and any project that adds an additional full
kitchen on property zoned for single-family use.
lowest point 6 feet from each building foundation
wall. Refer to the definitions in IRC Chapter 2
and consult the local building official if there is a
question about whether a basement is a story above
grade plane.
Apply the IRC to owner-occupied guest
accommodations (such as a bed and breakfast) if the
building contains not more than 5 guest rooms and if a
fire suppression system is installed in the building.
Do not apply the IRC to buildings used for
business, office, commercial, industrial, or other
residential purposes such as a fraternity house. This is
true even if the building was once used as a residence.
You may apply the IRC to an office in the home if
the office is incidental to the residential use of the
building. Refer to the International Building Code
(IBC) and other applicable codes for code provisions
governing buildings not governed by the IRC.
Apply the IRC to multi-family buildings, such as duplexes
and townhomes.
■ Building Departments
A local building department enforces the building
code in its jurisdiction. The technical term often
used to describe this department is the Authority
Having Jurisdiction (AHJ). The term used to describe
the person responsible for enforcing the code is the
Building Official or Chief Building Official. The
public name for the local building department varies
by jurisdiction. Many building departments will
have the terms “building” or “safety” somewhere in
the name. In some larger jurisdictions, the building
department may be a division of a larger agency that
is also responsible for land planning, zoning, and
development. Some building department names may
not sound like they have anything at all to do with
building code enforcement. If you do any work that
requires a building permit, you are responsible for
finding and contacting the building department. Work Consider your local building department to be a friendly
done without a permit can have serious legal and place with extremely valuable resources to help you get your
financial consequences. projects done correctly.

■ Working with Government Building Inspectors

The building official is the king of his building
jurisdiction. Don’t mess with the king. He can make
your life very difficult. If you must disagree with
him, do so respectfully and with facts that support
your position. The building official has the right to
interpret any code provision. While he does not have
the right to waive code provisions or to require more
than the code requires, interpretations can sometimes
have that effect. Even if his interpretation seems
unreasonable, eventually it will probably prevail. In
almost all cases, you should just smile and do what he
tells you.
Most building officials and inspectors are honest,
hardworking people who want to ensure that your
project is safe and complies with local building codes.
They can be a valuable resource. Take advantage of
that resource. Ask questions and work with them.
Most will, in turn, work with you.

A city building inspector is accustomed

to making site inspections in person. Make
sure you are prepared for the visit at the
allotted time and try to be present so you
can take notes and answer questions.

Introduction ■ 9
 Working with Private Building Inspectors ▸
Time is not the friend of government building inspectors.
From an eight-hour day, they must subtract doing
paperwork, discussing inspections with stakeholders,
traveling between inspections, and performing other
duties. Divide the remaining time by 20 to 30 inspections
per day, or more, and they may have only a few minutes
to perform each inspection. It’s a credit to government
inspectors that they find many major code violations.
Most will admit, however, that they cannot find all code
violations. They will also admit that they are not even
looking for issues that, although they are not code
violations, can have a significant negative impact on the
cost to operate and maintain the home.
Private building inspectors fill this quality control
gap for many people. People building homes and
people performing major remodeling projects hire a
private inspector who helps the government inspector
and the contractor provide quality construction. a
private inspector can perform a far more thorough
inspection than a government inspector because a
private inspector can invest more time on each inspection.
10 ■ CODES FOR HOMEOWNERS
In addition, a private inspector usually inspects areas
such as attics and roofs, where government inspectors
rarely go.
When building a new home or during a major
remodeling project, a private inspector is often most
useful at two critical points. The most critical point is just
before insulation and drywall are installed. This inspection
is sometimes called the pre-drywall inspection and is the
most important inspection a home will ever have. at this
time, an inspector can see many important components
that will be covered by finish materials and, in most cases,
will never be visible again. The other critical point is at the
end of construction. at this time, an inspector can see and
test important systems in the home.
Private inspectors are increasingly common on
construction sites. While some contractors welcome
private inspectors, many do not. even if you decide not to
engage a private inspector, it is wise to discuss the option
with the contractor before signing a contract, and it is wise
to agree, in writing, to how the contractor will work with
the private inspector during construction.
Private building inspectors
(such as the author, seen here)
may be hired by a client to
check the contractor’s work at
key points.
■ Manufacturer’s Instructions
The IRC requires installing all components,
equipment, and appliances according to the
manufacturer’s instructions. This requirement is
so important that it is repeated many times in the
IRC. Manufacturer’s instructions are an enforceable
extension of the IRC. This means that it is a code
violation to install something in a manner that does
not conform to manufacturer’s instructions.
Manufacturer’s instructions are an important part
of ensuring that components are safe. Independent
organizations test many components used to build
homes. This includes almost all manufactured
components. The tests are conducted under defined
conditions that include using the manufacturer’s
instructions to install the component. The testing
organization certifies that the component is safe
when installed and used according to manufacturer’s
■ Grandfathering Existing Work
In almost all situations, you are not required
to abandon, remove, or alter existing work that
is lawfully in existence and safely functioning.
Lawfully in existence means the work was
inspected and complied with the code when
installed and/or modified.
instructions. The testing organization places the
certified components on a list maintained by the
testing organization. This process is called listing, and
the components are referred to in the IRC as listed.
The IRC cannot anticipate every possible
building component and every possible way the
component could be installed. As such, the IRC relies
on the manufacturer’s instructions to specify how
components should be installed.
When a difference between the IRC and the
manufacturer’s instructions occurs, the IRC assumes
that the manufacturer is in a better position to know
its product and how it should be installed in a given
situation. This is why the IRC usually defers to the
manufacturer’s instructions. Ask the local building
official for an interpretation if there is a difference
between the manufacturer’s instructions and the IRC.
Manufacturer’s installation instructions
must be followed to the letter, and they
are an enforceable extension of the Irc.
In almost all situations, when updating,
modifying, or repairing existing work, you are
required to perform the update, modification, or
repair according to the code in force when the work
is performed. You are usually not required to make
the existing work comply with current code.
Introduction ■ 11
 ■ Building Permits & Inspections
Contact your local building officials to determine
which construction activities require a building permit
and to determine the documents and procedures
required to obtain a permit. The building official you
speak with may not enforce some building permit
requirements contained in the IRC, but may add
additional building permit requirements not contained
in the IRC.
You must wait until the required permit is
issued before beginning work. Beginning work
before the permit is issued may result in fines,
When Is a Permit Required? ▸
You typically will need a building permit for:
• Construction of new buildings
• Additions and structural modifications to
existing buildings
• Structural repairs to existing buildings
• Replacement of or major repairs to building
components, such as roof coverings and exterior
wall coverings
• Movement and demolition of existing buildings
• Changes to building occupancy. A change to building
occupancy means changing how the building is used.
example: using a single-family home as a place of
business is a change in occupancy that may require
a building permit and may require a zoning change or
zoning waiver.
• Additions to, major changes to, and/or replacement
of electrical, plumbing, gas, and HVAC components
You may not need a building permit for:
• Building or installation of one-story detached
accessory structures (such as storage sheds
and playhouses) with a floor area not more than
200 square feet
• Fences not more than seven feet tall
• Retaining walls not more than four feet tall measured
from the bottom of the footing to the top of the
wall and not supporting a surcharge (a surcharge
is a vertical load in addition to and/or above the
retained ground)
12 ■ CODES FOR HOMEOWNERS
and the building official could require removal of
the work.
Comply with the building code applicable to
where the building is located. The applicable building
code is usually the code in force when the permit is
issued. If you do not obtain a building permit, comply
with the building code in force when the work is
performed. The building code applies whether or not
you obtain a building permit. This is important. Lack of
a building permit does not relieve the building owner
or the contractor of responsibility for code compliance.
• Driveways and sidewalks
• Painting, papering, floor covering installation,
cabinet and countertop installation, and similar
finish work
• Installation of portable plug-and-cord connected
decorative lights and similar plug-and-cord
connected electrical equipment
• Replacement of fuses and circuit breakers
• Low-voltage lights and other electrical wires and
equipment operating at less than 25 volts and not
more than 50 watts
• Installation of portable gas heating, cooking, and
clothes-drying equipment
• Installation of portable HVAC equipment (such as
window air conditioners)
• Clearing of plumbing stoppages and repair of
plumbing leaks, and removal and reinstallation of
toilets if the repairs do not involve replacement or
rearrangement of valves, pipes, or fixtures
• Decks that are not more than 30 inches above
ground, and are not more than 200 square feet in
area, and are not attached to the building, and do not
serve the required egress door.
You usually do not need a building permit for:
• Routine maintenance of existing buildings, fixtures,
and equipment, if the building structure is not
affected and if the nature and use of the electrical,
plumbing, gas, or HVAC system is not changed

Post the job site inspection card so the inspector can see it.
Certificates of Occupancy ▸
a certificate of occupancy is issued by your building
official to affirm that your structure is safe to inhabit.
Do not move into or occupy a building until after the
building official issues a certificate of occupancy.
Do not change the use of a building without a new
certificate of occupancy. example: do not use a
building as an office if the building was once a home
without receiving a new certificate of occupancy. The
new certificate of occupancy may require changes to
the building that reflect its new commercial use. You
are not required to obtain a certificate of occupancy
for accessory structures.
Permit Expiration ▸
Verify building permit expiration rules with your local
building official. a building permit may expire if more
than 180 days lapse without an inspection or without
some other evidence that work is progressing on
the project.
■ Required Inspections
Contact the building official to determine the
required inspections for a construction project.
Each jurisdiction has its own rules for inspections.
These rules include: which inspections it performs,
what work must be complete before requesting the
inspection, how and when to schedule the inspection,
and how it handles inspections of work that
fails inspection.
Note that some jurisdictions conduct a separate
inspection for each trade, some jurisdictions conduct
one inspection when all trade work is complete, and
some jurisdictions conduct trade inspections during
the framing inspection. Check with the building
official to determine if other inspections are required.
Further required inspections may include flood plain
and elevation, roof coverings, insulation and energy
efficiency, interior drywall, and exterior wall coverings
such as stucco and masonry.
■ Final Inspections
Prior to final inspection, you should: Install all
plumbing, HVAC, and electrical fixtures, equipment,
and appliances; Install all required safety components
such as stair handrails and guards, safety glazing,
and smoke alarms. Note that jurisdictions have
different rules about whether you must install finish
components, such as floor coverings, before the
final inspection. Jurisdictions also differ on whether
tasks such as final grading and landscaping must
be installed.
Do not assume that passing an inspection or
receiving a certificate of occupancy is a waiver of any
code violations. The building owner and contractor
are responsible for any code violations regardless of
whether the building has passed inspections.
Introduction ■ 13
 ■ Preparing for Inspections

Concrete footing inspections must be done before Isolated footings such as those used to support deck
concrete is poured. Try to coordinate the inspection for the day columns must be inspected before the concrete is poured. The
before the planned pour, so you leave enough time to make footings will be inspected for size and depth. Some footings
corrections if required. may require reinforcing bars.
1. Install, square, and level forms.
2. Dig footing and pier trenches.
3. Install any required reinforcing bars.

Typical Freestanding Pull wire

Wall Form
3
⁄4" plywood

Spacer
3
⁄4" plywood

2 × 2 frame 2×4
for stop board frame

#3 rebar

Concrete Diagonal
3
⁄4" plywood footing bracing
stop board Stake
Stake

Concrete foundation wall inspections will focus on the wall thickness, base preparation, and reinforcement. all forms must be
approved prior to the pour.
1. Install, square, straighten, plumb, and secure wall forms.
2. Install any required reinforcing bars.

14 ■ CODES FOR HOMEOWNERS

Plumbing rough-in inspection.
1. Install plumbing water supply and drain pipes in the building.
The building sewer pipe inspection is usually a different
inspection from the interior drainage and water supply pipe
inspection. Install fixtures such as tubs and showers that may
be difficult to install after the wall construction is complete.
Electrical rough-in inspection.
1. Have electrical service panel and subpanel
cabinets installed.
2. Install boxes for switches, receptacles, and fixtures, and all
electrical cables.
HVAC inspection.
1. Install HVAC ducts, pipes, and thermostat wires.
2. Install (or have installed) appliances such as furnaces
and air handlers that may be difficult to install after the
construction is complete.
Framing inspection.
1. Install all interior and exterior walls, floor joists and
subflooring, ceiling joists and rafters, and roof sheathing.
Install all required wall bracing, firestops, and draftstops.
2. Note that some jurisdictions may require installation of
other components such as moisture barriers and roofing
felt before calling for a framing inspection.
Introduction ■ 15
Building Design
& Safety
O ne of the most important reasons for building
codes is to promote the health and safety of
building occupants. Health issues involve topics such
as minimum room size, minimum ceiling height,
and requirements for removing moisture and fumes
that could damage your home and make you sick.
Safety issues involve topics such as the size
and location of emergency escape openings,
design and construction of stairs (one of the
most dangerous areas in a home), and the
location and installation of smoke and carbon
monoxide alarms.
This chapter will help you understand building
code requirements that you may encounter when
doing projects such as adding rooms and remodeling
basements and attics. While this chapter will help
you avoid the most common health and safety code
violations, it does not address all code requirements.
You should refer to other sources for more information
before tackling complex projects.

In this chapter:
• Habitable Rooms
• Fire Separations
• Stairways
• Emergency Escape Openings
• Egress Doors
• Exterior Doors
• Door & Window Hazards
• Ventilation & Exhaust
• Smoke & Carbon Monoxide Alarms

■ 17
 Habitable Rooms
H abitable rooms (also called habitable spaces)
are living, sleeping, eating, and cooking rooms.
Bathrooms, toilet rooms, closets, hallways, storage, and
utility rooms are not habitable rooms. Habitable rooms
have their own set of requirements for size, ceiling
height, heating, lighting, and ventilation. Rooms that
are not habitable do not have these requirements.
Habitable Room
Area Requirements ▸
• Provide every habitable room with an area of at
least 70 sq. ft.
• Provide every habitable room with a horizontal
dimension of at least 84". kitchens may be
excepted: In some conditions you may design
a kitchen that is smaller than 70 sq. ft. or with a
horizontal dimension less than 84".
Minimum ceiling height (84")
ignores lights and fixtures
Measure between finished floor and the lowest part of
the ceiling in most rooms and basements to determine if
minimum ceiling height standards are met. ceiling-mounted
lights and fans do not factor into the height measurement.
18 ■ CODES FOR HOMEOWNERS
84" minimum
Habitable
space
60"
Not
habitable
space
Provide at least 84" of clear ceiling height between the
finished floor and the ceiling at the center of the room. If the
ceiling slopes, only that floorspace where the ceiling height
is at least 60" may be considered habitable. Heights less than
60", such as kneewall areas, may be useful for storage, but
they aren’t considered living space.
■ Minimum Ceiling Height
1. Provide at least an 84-inch tall finished ceiling
height in habitable rooms and in hallways,
including a basement containing habitable rooms
and hallways. Measure ceiling height from the
finished floor to the lowest projection from the
ceiling. Projections usually include components
such as joists, beams, and ducts. Projections do
not usually include light fixtures and ceiling fans.
2. You may have obstructions that are at least
76 inches above the finished floor in a basement
containing habitable rooms and hallways.
3. Provide at least an 80-inch tall finished ceiling
height in a basement that does not contain habitable
rooms or hallways. You may have obstructions that
are at least 76 inches above the finished floor in
these basement areas. Use these basement areas
only for mechanical equipment and for storage.
4. Provide at least an 80-inch finished ceiling height in
bathrooms and laundry rooms. This does not mean
that all of the bathroom must have an 80-inch tall
ceiling. The ceiling height above sinks and toilets
may be less than 80 inches high but must be high
enough to safely use the fixture. How much less is
subject to interpretation by the building inspector.
5. Provide at least an 84-inch tall finished ceiling
height in habitable rooms with a sloped ceiling.
Provide this ceiling height for at least 35 sq. ft. of
the finished floor area. Do not count any area with
a ceiling height less than 60 inches toward the
minimum 70 sq. ft. habitable room floor area.
■ Bathroom Design Standards

A 6-foot-tall person should be able to use a sink or toilet Showers & tubs. Provide at least 80" of finished ceiling
without bumping his or her head on the ceiling. height for all of the required floor area in showers and in tubs
containing showers.

Codes (and good design practices)

15" from center of insist on ample space between
toilet to nearest
wall or fixture bathroom fixtures.

21" clearance
in front of sinks
24" clearance and toilets
in front
22" clearance of shower door
for shower door

Shower base
at least 30" × 30"

Door

SHOWER SIZE minimum dimensions are maintained when the

1. Provide showers with a finished area of at least
900 square inches and a finished minimum
dimension at least 30 inches. Maintain the
minimum dimensions from the top of the
threshold to at least 70 inches above the shower
drain outlet. Measure the shower from the center
line of the threshold (curb). You may install valves,
shower heads, soap dishes, and grab bars that
encroach into the minimum dimensions. You
may install a fold-down seat in the shower if the
seat is up.
2. You may provide a shower with a finished
minimum dimension of at least 25 inches if the
finished area is at least 1,300 square inches.
3. Provide shower compartment entry opening of at
least 22 inch finished width.
4. Swing hinged shower doors out from the shower
stall. Hinged doors may swing into the shower
stall if they also swing out. Sliding shower doors
are also allowed.

Building Design & Safety ■ 19

 Fire Separations

■ Fire Separation:
Garage & Home
Many fires begin in garages. Unfortunately, garage
fires often are more intense than fires that start
elsewhere because of the presence of gasoline,
cardboard, newspapers, and other flammable
materials that are usually stored in the garage. Fire
safety is an important rationale for many IRC
provisions. Because of this the IRC has special
requirements to help prevent the spreading of
garage fires into the home.

VIOLATION! DO NOT install pet doors in doors that separate

the garage from the dwelling.

■ Fire Separation Doors

In walls that are shared between your dwelling and
your garage, use at least a 20-minute fire-rated door.
These may be made from solid wood or honeycomb-
core steel. Use doors that are at least 13⁄8-inch thick.
Doors in a garage wall may not open directly into
a bedroom. You also may not install pet doors or other
openings in doors or walls from a garage into the home
unless the pet door or opening is listed to maintain
fire separation. Install self-closing hinges on doors
between the garage and the home.

A fire-rated door with a minimum rating of 20 minutes is
required in walls shared between a garage and a home.
Definition of a Garage ▸
a garage is defined as a space for parking motor
vehicles that is completely closed to the outdoors on
three or more sides. It typically has an overhead door,
but a structure that meets the requirement but has no
door is still considered a garage. a carport is a space
for parking motor vehicles that is open to the outdoors
on at least two sides. a space with two solid walls
(often the house walls), a partially open wall, and an
opening without a vehicle door is considered a carport.
Garages and carports may be attached to, or detached
from, the dwelling. Garage fire separation requirements
do not normally apply to carports.

20 ■ CODES FOR HOMEOWNERS

■ Fire Separation Walls & Ceilings
Walls and ceilings that separate the home from the
garage should be covered on the garage side with
gypsum drywall that’s at least 1⁄2-inch thick. A garage
must have a ceiling made of Type X drywall that’s a
minimum of 5⁄8-inch thick if the garage is beneath a
habitable room. (Type X has fibrous reinforcement to
help the drywall maintain its integrity when exposed to
high heat).
Maintain the same fire separation for drywall
penetrations, such as attic scuttle holes, pull-down
attic stairs, gas vents, and plumbing pipes, as provided
by the gypsum drywall. Most pull-down attic stairs
interrupt the ceiling fire separation because the panel
to which the stairs are attached is thin plywood. Seal
penetrations between the garage and the home, such
as pipes and ducts, with materials that resist the free
flow of fire and smoke. Such materials include fire-
resistant caulk.

Type X drywall is required on garage ceilings if the space VIOLATION! Do not install pull-down stairs in a garage ceiling
above is habitable. unless they maintain the required fire separation. The standard
plywood covers do not maintain fire separation.

■ HVAC Ducts & Registers in Garages

Use at least 26-gauge sheet steel or other approved
material to construct HVAC ducts that are installed
in a garage and ducts that pass through garage walls
and ceilings. Do not install HVAC supply or return air
openings in the garage. This restriction does not apply
to an independent HVAC system that serves only the
garage. Do not use flexible HVAC duct or duct board
to penetrate garage walls and ceilings. Flexible ducts
and duct board may attach to steel ducts after the
steel ducts penetrate the garage firewall.

Building Design & Safety ■ 21

 Stairways

I nterior and exterior stairways are regulated closely

by most codes because they are inherently very
dangerous parts of a house. The regulations differ,
even on very basic guidelines like the size ratio ranges
of stair treads to risers. Many of the regulations deal
with lighting issues, including the type and location
of fixtures and switches. The size, grippability,
and location of handrails and railing balusters
also accounts for much of the regulatory wording
on stairways.
INTERIOR STAIRWAy LIGHTING
& SWITCHING
You should install as many light fixtures as necessary
to illuminate all stairway landings and treads. The
areas at the top and bottom of stairs are landings, so
the lights should illuminate them too. For example, a
light fixture at the top of a stairway may not provide
enough light to illuminate the bottom landing,
especially if the stairway changes direction. The
light must be capable of illuminating treads and
landings to at least 1 foot-candle.
Note: A foot‑candle is a unit of light measurement
approximating the amount of light you receive from a
birthday cake candle when it is held 12 inches from
your eyes. Photographer’s light meters may be used to
measure foot‑candles.
You must locate a switch for interior stairway
lights at the top and bottom of all interior stairs with
at least six risers. Only one switch is required for
interior stairs with fewer than six risers. Locate all
stair switches so they can be used without climbing
any steps.
EXTERIOR STAIRWAy LIGHTING
& SWITCHING
Codes for outdoor stairways differ somewhat from
interior requirements and recommendations. In
exterior areas, you must locate a light fixture near
the top landing for stairs providing access to doors
above grade level. You must also locate a light fixture
near the bottom landing for stairs providing access to
doors below grade level. Locate the switch inside the
dwelling for exterior stairs.

Definitions of Stairway Terms ▸

Landing: a landing is a flat surface at the top and bottom of a stairway, or Landing
it may also occur at points within a stairway. a landing must be at least as
Tread
wide as the stairway and at least 36 inches deep.

Nosing: a tread nose (nosing) is the part of a horizontal stair surface that
projects outward beyond a solid (closed) riser below.

Riser: a riser is the vertical part of a stair. a closed riser is created with solid
material between adjacent treads. an open riser has no material (except for
Winder tread
any required guards) between adjacent treads.

Stairway (flight of stairs): a series of risers and treads that is not

interrupted by a landing. a flight of stairs includes the landings at the top and
Riser
bottom of the flight. a stairway with only a top and bottom landing has one
flight of stairs. a stairway with a landing in the middle has two flights of stairs.
Nosing
Tread: a tread is the horizontal part of a stair. a tread is sometimes called
the step.
Stairway components include: tread,
Winder tread: a winder is a tread with one end wider than the other. Winders
winder tread, nosing, riser, landing, flight
are often used at intermediate landings to change a stairway’s direction. of stairs.

22 ■ CODES FOR HOMEOWNERS

 Light
switch
Light
switch

Install a light switch at the top and bottom of stairways with

at least six risers.

Install a light at the top landing of above-grade exterior stairs.

36" min.

31 1⁄ 2" min.

Provide a finished width of at least 36" above the handrail

and at least 311⁄2" at and below one handrail.

STAIRWAy WIDTH
1. Provide a finished stairway width of at least
36 inches above handrail to the minimum
headroom height.
2. Provide a finished stairway width of at least
31½ inches at and below the handrail for stairs
One light at a center landing may not be enough to with one handrail, and at least 27 inches at and
illuminate the top and bottom landings. below both handrails for stairs with two handrails.

Building Design & Safety ■ 23

 RISER HEIGHT
1. Provide a finished riser height of not more than
7¾ inches. Measure riser height vertically from
leading edges of adjacent treads. The IRC does
not mandate a minimum riser height.
2. Do not exceed 3⁄8-inch finished riser height
difference between any two risers in a flight of stairs.
7 3⁄4" max.
Filler strip
■ Tread Depth
1. Provide a finished tread depth of at least 10
inches. Measure tread depth horizontally from
the leading edges of adjacent treads and at a right
angle to the tread’s leading edge.
2. Do not exceed 3⁄8-inch finished tread depth
difference between any two treads in a flight of
stairs. This does not apply to consistently shaped
winder treads contained within the same flight
of stairs.
24 ■ CODES FOR HOMEOWNERS
3. Do not allow open risers to fit a four-inch-diameter
sphere for passthrough. This includes interior
stairs and exterior stairs, such as stairs for decks
and balconies, but does not include spiral stairs.
4. Do not include the height of carpets, carpet
pads, rugs, and runners when measuring
riser height.
Maximum riser height is 7¾".
Maximum difference between two risers in
a flight of stairs is 3⁄8".
Open risers have the potential to trap the
head of a small child. Do not allow an open
riser to pass a 4" diameter sphere. Install
filler strips to reduce riser opening size,
beginning with the fourth riser.
Nosing
10" min.
Provide a tread depth of at least 10" if treads have a nosing
or at least 11" if treads have no nosing.
■ Tread Nosing
1. Provide a finished tread nosing depth of at
least ¾ inch and not more than 1¼ inches for
stairs with solid risers. Add the nosing depth to
the 10-inch minimum tread depth. You are not
required to provide tread nosing if treads are at
least 11 inches deep.
2. Do not exceed 3⁄8-inch finished tread nosing
depth difference between any two treads for all
treads between two stories, including at floors and
OK range
landings. Note that this differs from the tread and ¾" to 1¼"
riser maximum difference. The tread and riser
differences are for a flight of stairs and the nosing
depth difference is for all treads between two stories.
3. Do not exceed 9⁄16 inch for the curvature radius of Provide a tread nosing depth of at least ¾" and not more
than 1¼". Do not exceed 9⁄16" radius for a curved nosing or ½"
a tread nosing and do not exceed ½ inch for the
depth for a beveled nosing.
bevel of a tread nosing.

TREAD SLOPE
1. Slope treads and landings not more than 2 percent
from horizontal in any direction.

WINDER STAIR TREADS

1. Provide a finished winder tread depth of at least
10 inches measured horizontally from the leading
edges of adjacent treads at the walk line. The
walk line is located 12 inches from the tread’s
narrow side.
2. Provide a finished winder tread depth of at least
6 inches at any point on a winder tread within the
finished width of the stairway.
3. Do not exceed 3⁄8-inch finished tread depth
difference between any two treads in a flight of
stairs measured at the walk line.
4. Do not compare the depth of winder treads to the
depth of rectangular treads in a flight of stairs if:
(a) the winder treads all have a consistent shape,
and if (b) the winder treads comply with the
winder tread depth requirements. Winder treads
will not have the same depth as the rectangular
treads, so the winder tread depth will not be
within 3⁄8 inch of the rectangular tread depth.
STAIRWAy HEADROOM HEIGHT
1. Provide a finished stairway headroom height of at
least 80 inches measured vertically from a sloped
plane connecting the tread nosing or from the
finished floor of a landing. Projections from the
ceiling are permitted above the minimum finished
headroom height.
The step up from landings should be not more than 7¾".
Measure the step to the top of the threshold. Make landings
at least as wide as the stairway and at least 36" deep.
STAIRWAy LANDINGS
1. Provide a landing or floor at the top and bottom of
most stairs.
2. You are not required to provide a landing or floor
at the top of interior stairs, including stairs in an
attached garage, unless a door swings over stairs.
This means you may terminate a flight of interior
stairs directly into a door if the door swings away
from the stairs.
3. Do not exceed 147 inches vertical rise of a flight
of stairs without providing a landing or a floor.
Example: do not install more than twenty 73⁄8-inch
high risers without an intermediate landing.
4. Make rectangular and square landings width
at least as wide as the stairway. Example: if the
stairway is 36 inches wide, build the landing at
least 36 inches wide.

Building Design & Safety ■ 25

 5. Make rectangular and square landings depth 3. Provide guards at least 36 inches tall at raised
at least 36 inches, measured in the direction surfaces other than the open sides of stairs.
of travel. 4. Provide guards at least 34 inches high on the open
6. You may make landings with shapes other than sides of stairs. Measure the guards vertically from
rectangular and square if: (a) the depth of the the nosing of the treads.
landing at walk line is at least as wide as the
stairway, and if (b) the total area of the landing
is at least as large as a ¼ circle with a radius
equal to the required width of the landing.
The walk line is 12 inches from the narrow
side of the landing. The area of a circle is
3.14 multiplied by the circle’s radius squared.
Example: the minimum area of a curved landing
serving a 36-inch-wide stairway is calculated
as follows: (36 in.2 × 3.14) × .25 = 1,017.9
square inches.

GuARDS: DEFINITION
A guard is a barrier that protects occupants from
falling from a raised surface such as a stairway, deck,
or balcony. Guards are often call guardrails when the
guard also serves as a handrail; however, guards need
not be an open rail. A guard may be a partial height
solid wall, a partial height wall containing safety
glazing, or any other structure that complies with
IRC requirements.
Install a handrail on stairways with at least 4 risers.
HANDRAILS & GuARDS: LOCATION Provide a continuous handrail beginning above the first riser
1. Provide a handrail on at least one side of and ending at or above the last riser.
every continuous flight of stairs with four or
more risers.
2. Provide a guard at raised floor surfaces more 34 to 38"
than 30 inches above an adjacent interior or
exterior surface. Areas that require guards include
porches, balconies, decks, hallways, screened
enclosures, ramps, and the open sides of stairs
with a total rise of more than 30 inches.

HEIGHT
1. Install the handrail at least 34 inches and not
more than 38 inches above the treads measured
vertically from a sloped plane connecting
the tread nosing or from the finished floor of
a ramp.
2. You may exceed the 38-inch maximum height
where a handrail connects with a guard to provide
a continuous structure. Example: a handrail
connects to a guard at an intermediate stairway
landing. The handrail height at the beginning and
ending of the intermediate landing guard may
exceed 38 inches high. Install handrails at least 34" and not more than 38" above a
sloped line connecting the stair treads.

26 ■ CODES FOR HOMEOWNERS

 4" max.

Yes Yes

4 3⁄ 8" max.

Yes No

The maximum space between guard Install handrails that have the required gripping surface dimensions. Any of the
vertical members is a 4"-diameter above profiles will suffice. Handrails using 2 × 4 and larger lumber are too large to be
sphere. The maximum space for stairway grippable and thus do not meet the dimensions standard.
guards is a 43⁄8" diameter sphere.

5. Limit the height of guards that are also handrails
to not more than 38 inches. The IRC does not
limit guard height other than for handrails.
CONTINuITy
1. Run the handrail continuously from at least a
point directly above the top riser of the flight of
stairs to at least a point directly above the lowest
riser of the flight.
2. Provide all handrails with a return or terminate
them in a newel post, volute, starting easing, or
starting newel.
3. Project handrails at least 1½ inches and not more
than 4½ inches from any adjacent wall.
4. You may interrupt a handrail by a newel post at
a turn.
5. Provide continuous guards for open sides of the
entire flight of stairs, even if some of the flight is
less than 30 inches above an adjacent surface.
6. You need not provide a guard if the entire flight
of stairs is less than 30 inches above an adjacent
surface. This applies even if a lower flight of
stairs connects with an upper flight of stairs at
a landing. Example: a landing occurs before the
last 3 risers of a stairway. The last 3 risers are a
separate flight of stairs and do not require a guard
or a handrail.
3. Provide Type 2 handrails that have a perimeter
dimension greater than 6¼ inches with a
graspable finger recess on both sides of the profile.
4. Apply handrail shape requirements to interior and
to exterior stairways, including stairways for decks
and balconies.
OPENINGS
1. Do not allow openings in guards to pass a 4-inch
diameter sphere.
2. Do not allow stair guard openings, such as
balusters, to pass a 43⁄8-inch diameter sphere.
3. Do not allow openings under stair guards formed
by a riser, tread, and the guard’s bottom rail to
pass a 6-inch diameter sphere.
HANDRAILS & GuARDS LIVE LOADS
1. Install handrails and guards so they will resist a
uniform distributed force of at least 200 pounds
per square foot applied in any direction at any
point along the top.

SHAPE 6" max.

1. Use material with an outside diameter at least 1¼
inches and not more than two inches for Type 1
circular handrails.
2. Use material with a perimeter dimension of at
least four inches and not more than 6¼ inches
and a cross-section dimension of not more than The maximum space in the triangle formed by a tread, riser,
2¼ inches for Type 1 non-circular handrails. and stair guard bottom rail is a 6" diameter sphere.

Building Design & Safety ■ 27

 Emergency Escape Openings

A n emergency escape and rescue opening,

commonly called an egress opening, is required
in all bedrooms and in most basements. Codes are
very specific concerning the minimum clearances of
the openings and how they can be accessed, as well as
how they can be exited from the exterior. Rooms that
are not intended for sleeping typically do not need to
meet egress requirements. You may use an operable
window or you may use a side-hinged or sliding door
as the escape opening.

■ Escape Opening Locations

1. Provide at least one escape opening in every
bedroom including bedrooms above, at, and below
ground level.
2. Provide at least one escape opening in most
basements. You are not required to provide a
basement escape opening if: (a) the basement
area is not more than 200 square feet, and
if (b) the basement is used only to house
mechanical appliances.
3. Provide each basement bedroom with an escape
opening. You are not required to provide other
escape openings in basements in addition to the
bedroom escape openings.
4. Open all escape openings directly onto an
area that leads directly to a public way. This
means that escape openings cannot open onto an
enclosed courtyard or onto a similar area that does
not lead directly and without obstruction to an
area that is accessible by the public.
5. You may open an escape opening under a deck Egress windows allow emergency exit from a structure and
or porch if: (a) the escape opening can be must meet certain minimum size and accessibility codes. They
are required primarily in bedrooms and basements.

Locks & Bars on Openings ▸
Do not cover or obstruct escape openings with locks,
bars, screens, or similar devices unless they can be
operated from the inside without tools, keys, lock
combinations, and special knowledge, and can be
operated with the same force required to open the
escape opening.
opened to the full required dimensions, and if
(b) the space under the deck or porch is at least
36 inches high.
6. Note that an escape opening may be
required when converting a previously
unfinished basement into finished space,
especially if the finished space is a
bedroom. Verify requirements with the local
building official.

28 ■ CODES FOR HOMEOWNERS

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cinq heures… six heures au plus tard… Allons ! good bye ! tâche de
ne pas t’enivrer…
Et Slang, après m’avoir donné une vigoureuse poignée de main,
partit d’un pas rapide.
Du seuil de la grille, je le vis s’éloigner, s’engager dans l’avenue
qui conduit à la gare, puis disparaître entre les arbres.
Mes yeux n’avaient pas quitté ses semelles. Il me semblait
qu’avec elles cet homme emportait tout mon bien !
Ce que l’on va lire maintenant paraîtra peut-être invraisemblable
à certains lecteurs. Je les supplie, ceux-là, de me faire crédit de
quelque confiance ; ils verront par la suite si j’ai dénaturé ou surfait
quoi que ce soit dans une affaire qui fut certainement la plus
compliquée de toutes celles que j’eus à instruire, durant ma carrière
déjà longue de détective amateur.
 V
MAUVAIS DÉPART

Sans perdre une minute, je pris, comme on dit, mes jambes à

mon cou dans la direction du petit bois qui m’avait déjà servi d’asile
et j’en sortis presque aussitôt transformé en parfait gentleman.
J’avais même eu la chance de retrouver mon chapeau.
Au lieu de rentrer chez moi, je me dirigeai précipitamment chez
un marchand d’automobiles nommé Bloxham qui demeurait à
l’entrée de la ville et je pénétrai dans son garage en hurlant :
— Bloxham !… Bloxham !…
Un petit homme aux yeux bigles sortit de derrière une auto dont il
était en train de regonfler les pneus et me regarda d’un air ahuri :
— Qu’y a-t-il pour votre service, monsieur ? demanda-t-il en se
découvrant.
— Voyons… avez-vous donc perdu la tête, Bloxham ?
Comment ? vous ne me reconnaissez pas ?
— Non monsieur… c’est-à-dire qu’il me semble bien vous avoir
déjà vu quelque part… mais…
Je songeai aussitôt à mon maquillage que je n’avais pas eu le
temps d’enlever :
 — Je vous dirai mon nom tout à l’heure… pour le moment
contentez-vous de savoir que j’exige de vous un service… il faut que
j’arrive à Melbourne avant le train qui part de Broad-West à onze
heures quarante-six.
Le petit homme tressauta comme s’il eût été surpris par un
courant électrique, et ses deux pupilles vinrent affleurer la racine de
son nez.
— Vous n’y pensez pas ! s’écria-t-il en se retournant vers
l’horloge placée dans le fond du garage… il est exactement onze
heures quarante-deux ; le train va partir dans quatre minutes.
— Il le faut, vous dis-je… Je paierai ce qu’il faudra… et d’avance
encore… Avez-vous une voiture prête ?
— Celle-ci… mais il faut que je regonfle un pneu…
— Faites vite alors !…
— Je vous assure, monsieur…
— M’avez-vous entendu, Bloxham ?
— Vraiment c’est impossible… oui, c’est réellement impossible…
grognait le petit homme en ajustant son raccord sur la valve… il
faudrait faire du quatre-vingt-dix de moyenne…
— On fera du cent s’il le faut ! m’écriai-je…
Et pendant que le pauvre Bloxham actionnait désespérément sa
pompe, je pris un seau, allai le remplir à une fontaine et, me servant
de mon mouchoir en guise de serviette, j’enlevai rapidement l’affreux
enduit qui me barbouillait le visage.
— Eh bien ! me reconnaissez-vous maintenant ? demandai-je en
m’approchant.
— Oh ! Monsieur Dickson… Quelle surprise !… Ah ! par
exemple !… Si jamais j’aurais pu penser que c’était vous, ce vilain
individu… pardon… je voulais dire…
— C’est bon… hâtez-vous…
— Du moment que c’est pour vous obliger, monsieur Dickson, je
ferai l’impossible…
 Et de fait, Bloxham se mit à pomper avec une énergie
désespérée.
Cet homme me devait quelque reconnaissance, car je m’étais
récemment occupé pour lui d’une affaire assez embrouillée, dans
laquelle il se trouvait compromis, quoiqu’il fût tout à fait innocent, et
j’avais fini par mettre la main sur les vrais coupables.
J’avais sauvé la réputation de Bloxham et j’étais sûr qu’il ferait
tout pour sauvegarder la mienne.
— Vite !… vite !… activons, m’écriai-je après avoir regardé ma
montre… nous n’avons plus qu’une minute…
— C’est prêt, monsieur Dickson, répondit Bloxham en dévissant
son raccord… Montez, nous allons partir aussitôt.
Et il appela :
— Jarry ! Jarry !
Une figure cramoisie s’encadra dans un guichet.
— Surveillez le garage… Jarry… je m’absente pour quelques
heures… et surtout si M. Sharper veut encore essayer la vingt-
quatre chevaux, dites qu’elle est en réparation.
— All right ! répondit l’individu qu’il avait interpellé… on aura
l’œil…
Déjà, Bloxham avait donné un tour de manivelle et le moteur
battait avec une trépidation sonore.
Il sauta au volant, actionna le levier de mise en marche et nous
partîmes.
A ce moment même, un coup de sifflet strident nous annonçait
l’arrivée en gare du rapide de onze heures quarante-six.
La distance qui sépare Melbourne de Broad-West n’est que de
quarante-deux kilomètres par chemin de fer, mais on en compte
cinquante-trois par la route qui décrit de nombreuses courbes et au
milieu de laquelle se trouve une côte de douze cents mètres
excessivement rapide.
 De plus, — et là était la difficulté — le rapide qui ne s’arrête plus
entre Broad-West et la capitale de l’État de Victoria met juste vingt-
cinq minutes pour effectuer le parcours.
Il fallait donc que nous le gagnions de vitesse.
Avec une quarante chevaux comme celle que nous montions, la
chose était facile, en admettant que nous ne rencontrions sur la
route aucun encombrement et que nous traversions à toute allure
Long-House et Merry-Town, deux petites localités assez désertes,
situées sur notre passage.
Pendant sept kilomètres environ, nous longeâmes la voie du
chemin de fer et je pus constater avec un vrai bonheur que nous
« semions » le rapide, mais il nous fallut bientôt nous engager dans
un chemin sinueux et aborder la fameuse côte de Devil, dont la
pente, d’après les cartes, est de vingt pour cent !
L’auto de Bloxham enleva la rampe en troisième et dévala
ensuite vers Long-House à une allure fantastique.
Le rapide devait être à cette minute très loin derrière nous et je
jubilais intérieurement, en songeant à la tranquillité de Slang, qui
était à cent lieues de se douter qu’un détective allait le prendre en
filature au débarcadère de Melbourne pour ne plus le lâcher d’une
semelle.
Mon plan était simple.
Je m’attacherais à ses pas, ou si besoin était, je le ferais suivre
par des agents secrets, ma modeste personne, quelque active
qu’elle fût, n’étant pas encore parvenue à se dédoubler.
Il fallait, en effet, avant de mettre les menottes à mon « pseudo-
cousin », recueillir certains indices qui m’étaient indispensables.
L’assassin de M. Ugo Chancer pouvait avoir des complices. Je me
trouverais alors avoir affaire à une bande puissamment organisée
pour le cambriolage et le vol.
Si cela était, la découverte d’une association de malfaiteurs, sur
d’aussi faibles indices, me classerait définitivement parmi les plus
fins limiers de police et une pensée d’orgueil intime, autant que de
curiosité professionnelle, m’aiguillonnait de plus en plus à mesure
que nous approchions de Melbourne.
Oui, plus je réfléchissais, plus j’arrivais à me persuader que
j’allais me trouver en présence d’une sorte de Robber’s Company
semblable à celle de Brisbane.
Slang paraissait trop sot pour avoir conduit seul cette affaire…
Cependant il était l’instrument du meurtre, tout en témoignait et il
importait d’élucider promptement ce qui restait de ténébreux dans
l’exécution d’un crime aussi habilement conçu.
Et d’abord, il n’était pas admissible que le voleur-assassin s’en
fût allé sans tirer aucun profit de son crime.
Nous avions trouvé dans le secrétaire de M. Ugo Chancer une
forte somme en or, mais il n’était pas croyable que la fortune du
vieux de Green-Park se réduisît à cent quatre-vingt-trois livres en
monnaie courante.
Il devait avoir des titres déposés chez un ou plusieurs hommes
d’affaires, comme l’insinuait le chief-inspector Bailey.
Peut-être ?
Mais cela n’expliquait pas le geste, véritablement par trop
désintéressé, du cambrioleur assassin.
De toute façon, il était urgent que j’entrasse en relations avec
l’homme d’affaires de la victime ; or un hasard providentiel m’avait,
on le sait, livré le nom de M. R. C. Withworth, 18, Fitzroy Street, à
Melbourne.
Je devais donc m’adresser à ce M. Withworth qui envoyait au
défunt des plis cachetés et semblait être, sinon le confident, du
moins l’intermédiaire entre M. Ugo Chancer et les différentes
banques d’Australie.
Nous venions de dépasser Merry-Town et nous apercevions déjà
les premières maisons de Melbourne, quand notre automobile eut
soudain des ratés.
Cela se traduisit d’abord par quelques explosions rapides et
bruyantes qui peu à peu s’atténuèrent pour se changer en un
pénible crachotement de valétudinaire.
C’était la panne ! l’affreuse panne devenue pourtant si rare
aujourd’hui grâce aux merveilleux perfectionnements de l’industrie
automobile.
J’avais pâli et Bloxham avait proféré un mot énergique que la
bienséance ne me permet pas de reproduire ici…
— Voyez vite ce que c’est ! m’écriai-je en secouant mon
malheureux conducteur par le bras.
Bloxham sauta sur la route, releva le capot de la voiture et se mit
à examiner les quatre cylindres.
— Eh bien ? demandai-je…
— C’est l’allumage qui ne se fait plus, répondit-il, le nez sur le
moteur.
— Vérifiez vite… by God !
— Les bougies sont en bon état…
— Votre huile donne bien ?
— Oui…
— Alors ?
Tout à coup, il se frappa le front d’un geste désespéré, courut au
réservoir de cuivre placé à l’arrière de la voiture, en dévissa
rapidement le bouchon et s’écria, après avoir jeté un coup d’œil
dans l’intérieur :
— Il n’y a plus d’essence, monsieur Dickson !…
J’eus envie de sauter sur cet homme, de le prendre à la gorge et
de l’étrangler comme un poulet…
Fort heureusement, je me contins et ma rage s’exhala en injures
et en imprécations.
— Je croyais que nous aurions assez d’essence, monsieur
Dickson, balbutiait Bloxham en se frappant la poitrine à coups
redoublés comme un gorille aux abois.
 — Vous croyiez ! vous croyiez !… Ah ! idiot ! crétin ! triple brute !…
Vous mériteriez… A cause de vous un assassin des plus dangereux
va m’échapper… Je vais être perdu de réputation… Je…
Le sifflet narquois du rapide passant à quelques mètres de la
route me coupa la phrase sur les lèvres et me jeta dans un état de
fureur indescriptible…
Si encore j’avais pu télégraphier, téléphoner à la gare de
Melbourne… Mais non, nous étions à trois milles au moins de Merry-
Town et le train serait arrivé avant que j’eusse atteint le bureau de
poste de cette localité.
J’étais hors de moi… Je trépignais comme un enfant à qui on a
volé ses billes, et un facteur qui passait sur la route me prit sans
doute pour un fou, car il s’enfuit de toute la vitesse de ses jambes.
Quant à Bloxham il s’était accroupi dans la poussière et poussait
des cris déchirants.
Je regrette qu’un photographe amateur ne nous ait pas pris à ce
moment avec son kodak car cela aurait fait un cliché des plus
amusants pour le Great Humoristicou l’Australian Jester.
Enfin je me calmai et regardai ma montre.
Il était exactement midi dix et l’express allait entrer en gare de
Melbourne…
— Tout n’est peut-être pas perdu… pensai-je. Il se peut fort bien
que mon Slang revienne à la villa Crawford… Somme toute, il n’a
aucune raison de se méfier… Pourquoi s’enfuirait-il ? Ce serait
avouer son crime…
Et j’en arrivai presque à me persuader que je le retrouverais le
soir, dans le petit pavillon dont il m’avait fait les honneurs avec une
cordialité si touchante.
En tout cas, puisque je l’avais laissé échapper, il fallait que je
continuasse mon enquête, que je visse M. Withworth et le chief-
inspector de Melbourne. Et qui sait si je ne rencontrerais pas ce
bandit de Slang dans quelque rue de la ville ? C’était un alcoolique
invétéré et il serait bien surprenant qu’il ne fît pas de nombreuses
stations dans les bars de Collingswood ou de Northcote.
— Combien d’ici à Melbourne ? demandai-je à Bloxham qui se
lamentait toujours dans la poussière.
— Quatre milles, monsieur Dickson… bégaya le pauvre homme
en agitant ses petits bras pareils à des ailerons.
— C’est bien… je vais les faire à pied. Excusez-moi, Bloxham, si
je vous ai un peu malmené tout à l’heure, mais je ne vous en veux
plus… Combien vous dois-je ?
— Vous plaisantez, monsieur Dickson… D’ailleurs je n’accepterai
jamais de vous quoi que ce soit… je vous dois trop pour cela… Ah !
quelle fatalité, by God ! quelle fatalité ! Pour une fois que je voulais
vous être agréable !
— L’occasion se représentera, Bloxham, soyez-en sûr… Et
tenez… puisque vous désirez m’obliger, il y a un moyen…
— Oh ! dites, monsieur Dickson !
— C’est d’avoir toujours dans votre garage de Broad-West une
voiture prête à partir… une voiture avec de l’essence… par
exemple…
— Comptez sur moi, monsieur Dickson… et veuillez encore une
fois agréer toutes mes excuses…
— Vous êtes tout excusé, mon ami, répondis-je en donnant au
malheureux chauffeur une tape amicale dans le dos — ce qui eut
pour effet de soulever un affreux nuage de poussière — et croyez
que je regrette vivement les qualificatifs un peu désobligeants dont
je me suis servi à votre endroit… Allons, good bye !… J’irai
probablement vous rendre visite ce soir…
Et après m’être épousseté tant bien que mal avec mon mouchoir,
je me dirigeai pédestrement vers Melbourne.
 VI
L’HOMME D’AFFAIRES DE FITZROY-
STREET

Je ne sais s’il est arrivé à quelqu’un de mes lecteurs de quitter

tout à coup, pour cause de panne, une confortable automobile et de
faire dans la poussière, sous un soleil de plomb, quatre milles
anglais, ce qui représente exactement quatre fois seize cent neuf
mètres, c’est-à-dire une bonne lieue et demie de France.
Cela manque de charme, surtout pour un détective qui a caressé
un instant l’idée de « pincer » un criminel et qui voit soudain ce
criminel prendre sur lui une avance considérable.
La nature m’a heureusement doué d’une certaine dose de
philosophie, sans quoi, dans différentes circonstances, j’aurais,
comme on dit, jeté bien souvent le manche après la cognée.
Mais j’ai du ressort : je ressemble un peu à ces stayers qui
reprennent de la vigueur et de l’énergie en apercevant le poteau… et
dont les superbes efforts déconcertent toutes les prévisions.
Mon overcoat sous le bras, j’avalai donc mes quatre milles et
quand je pénétrai dans le faubourg de Richmond qui mène à
Melbourne-Ville, il était exactement une heure trente-cinq.
 Hélant alors un hansom qui maraudait en cherchant l’ombre, je
me fis conduire à Wilson-Hall, dans une petite rue où je savais
trouver un lavatory.
Une fois rasé, coiffé, brossé, ciré, je remontai en voiture en jetant
cette adresse au cabman :
— 18, Fitzroy-Street.
L’homme acquiesça d’un signe, éteignit sa pipe qu’il avait
allumée pendant que je me faisais bichonner et enleva son cheval
d’un vigoureux claquement de langue.
Le hansom partit comme un trait, traversa à toute allure Victoria-
Parade, longea la cathédrale Saint-Paul, Albert-Park et Gressington,
puis ralentit brusquement devant un immeuble de huit étages.
— Stop ! dis-je au cabman.
— Well ! fit l’homme en rallumant sa pipe et en tirant de dessous
son siège un numéro du Melbourne Magazine.
La maison devant laquelle je me trouvais semblait de haut en bas
être habitée bourgeoisement.
A ma grande surprise, je ne voyais ni sur la porte d’entrée ni sur
les balcons de la façade aucune de ces plaques de tôle vernie ou
émaillée qui signalent ordinairement les maisons de banque et
d’affaires ou les officiers ministériels. Je ne découvris rien autre que
la lanterne rouge d’un médecin [5] .
[5] En Angleterre et en Australie les médecins mettent
à leur porte une lanterne rouge semblable à celle de nos
commissariats.

N. de l’A.

Pourtant, je pénétrai sous le vestibule afin de consulter la liste

des locataires, et j’y trouvai, à ma grande satisfaction, l’indication
que je désirais.

Third floor. — C. A. Withworth.

 Agent.

Je grimpai quatre à quatre les escaliers et sonnai à une grande

porte brune à deux battants.
Une accorte petite bonne vint m’ouvrir. Je lui remis ma carte
qu’elle lut aussitôt avec un sans-gêne qui me surprit un peu, puis
elle disparut dans un couloir très sombre, éclairé par une lanterne en
fer forgé représentant un satyre jouant de la flûte.
Quelques instants après, elle reparaissait, me faisait signe de la
suivre et m’introduisait dans un cabinet de travail où un
amoncellement d’objets de toutes sortes que je distinguai mal en
entrant, interceptait ou plutôt absorbait la lumière.
Un vieillard de petite taille se tenait debout dans la partie la plus
éclairée, devant une table de vieux chêne : il était chenu et très
barbu, à la façon de ces singes de l’Inde qu’on appelle gibbons.
C’est du moins l’impression que j’en eus tout d’abord.
— Monsieur Withworth ? demandai-je.
— C’est moi, répondit le vieillard en me désignant un siège.
Je m’assis.
Le haut fauteuil sur lequel j’avais pris place me paraissait être un
de ces meubles de musée disgracieux et incommodes auxquels
l’ancienneté seule donne quelque valeur.
L’occupant du lieu me faisait aussi plutôt l’effet d’un
collectionneur que d’un businessman, car je distinguai, derrière lui,
entre deux bahuts en bois sculpté, la haute silhouette d’une armure
érigée toute droite, une hallebarde au gantelet.
M. Withworth attendait que je l’instruisisse du motif de ma visite
et il me faisait de petits signes interrogateurs tout en rajustant sa
robe de chambre.
— Vous savez qui je suis ? dis-je d’un ton confidentiel.
Mon interlocuteur inclina la tête.
 — Et vous savez également que M. Ugo Chancer, de Green-
Park, est mort ?
— J’ai fait frapper d’opposition tous les titres que possédait le
défunt.
— Vous allez au-devant de ma question, monsieur ; ainsi vous
étiez l’homme d’affaires de ce pauvre M. Chancer ?
— Son homme de confiance, oui… je m’occupais de ses
placements… M. Ugo Chancer était mon meilleur ami.
— Tout va bien alors et je me félicite du hasard qui m’a mis en
possession de votre adresse… Vous voyiez souvent M. Chancer ?
— Il y a vingt-cinq ans que je ne l’ai vu ; mais il était, je vous le
répète, mon meilleur ami ;… nos relations s’entretenaient par
correspondance.
— Alors vous êtes absolument au courant de la situation de
fortune de M. Chancer ?
— Oui… j’opérais en son nom toutes les ventes et tous les
achats de valeurs.
— Vous devez avoir les numéros de ses titres ?
— Tous, oui monsieur.
— Mais pas les titres ?
— Non… M. Ugo Chancer les gardait chez lui.
— Ils ont donc été volés ?
— Je l’ai pensé, c’est pourquoi je les ai fait frapper d’opposition.
— C’est une sage précaution qui pourra nous être fort utile pour
la suite de l’affaire. Excusez-moi, monsieur, mais votre opinion n’est-
elle pas que M. Ugo Chancer a été assassiné ?
— Je n’ai pas d’opinion… c’est à la police de m’en faire une… j’ai
agi comme je croyais devoir le faire… voilà tout.
— Et vous avez été très bien inspiré, monsieur… Mon avis à moi
c’est que M. Chancer a été victime d’un cambrioleur-assassin… et je
suis en ce moment sur une piste.
 — Que vous croyez bonne ?
— Oui…
— Allons, tant mieux !
— Je dois d’abord vous dire que je me suis livré à une
perquisition chez le défunt et que je n’ai trouvé en tout et pour tout
que cent quatre-vingt-trois livres en or.
— M. Chancer, je vous le répète, gardait par devers lui tous les
certificats de ses actions et obligations. Mon honorable ami était fort
imprudent… Il n’avait pas même de coffre-fort. Je sais qu’il serrait
ses papiers dans un petit meuble de son cabinet de travail, meuble
très rare que je lui vendis autrefois pour un prix dérisoire.
— Un secrétaire en bois de rose ?
— Parfaitement… un secrétaire qui provenait de la succession de
sir Walter Raleigh…
— C’est bien en effet dans l’un des tiroirs de ce meuble que j’ai
découvert les piles d’or dont je vous ai parlé.
— Les titres devaient s’y trouver également… Vous êtes
détective… concluez…
— J’ai toujours cru à un vol.
— Oui, l’argent monnayé que vous avez vu chez ce pauvre
Chancer a été abandonné à dessein… pour donner le change.
— C’est aussi mon avis, monsieur.
Le petit vieux parut réfléchir un instant puis il reprit :
— Une chose me frappe en outre dans ce que vous m’avez dit…
c’est le peu d’importance de la somme trouvée dans le secrétaire.
— Cent quatre-vingt-trois livres.
— Je sais… M. Chancer qui était un original conservait toujours
chez lui dix ou quinze mille livres en or… et chose qui est à retenir, il
marquait toutes ses pièces… c’était une manie… qu’il avait !… Ah ! il
était si bizarre, ce pauvre ami !
Je tendis à M. Withworth les quatre souverains que j’avais, la
veille, glissés dans la poche de mon gilet.
 Le vieillard s’approcha de la fenêtre et les considéra longuement
au jour.
Ensuite, il prit une grosse loupe sur la table et examina
minutieusement chaque pièce.
— Ces souverains n’ont jamais appartenu à M. Chancer, déclara-
t-il.
— Comment cela ?
— C’est la vérité… Je vous l’ai dit, mon honorable ami avait une
manie : il marquait tout son or d’un signe à lui.
M. Withworth m’appela près de la fenêtre et me mettant en main
la loupe et une des pièces d’or :
— Remarquez, dit-il, qu’il n’y a rien sur le cou de la Reine…
— ??
— Oui… M. Chancer avait un poinçon très fin, une imperceptible
étoile à six branches qu’il gravait sur toutes ses pièces du côté face,
à la section du cou et de la figure.
J’admirai le stratagème du défunt et lui décernai mentalement
des louanges posthumes pour m’avoir fourni ainsi des armes de
premier ordre.
M. Withworth jeta violemment l’une après l’autre les quatre
pièces sur un petit meuble d’ébène.
— D’ailleurs, dit-il, ces souverains sont faux…
Et il fit dans l’un d’eux une petite incision avec la pointe de son
canif.
— Ils sont, poursuivit-il, composés d’un alliage sans valeur, mais
assez bien imités… c’est du beau travail de faux-monnayeur…
Si mon opinion n’avait pas été faite, je n’aurais plus eu de doutes
à cette heure ; Slang n’était pas de taille à avoir combiné seul un vol
aussi savant.
Slang n’était qu’un comparse, l’exécuteur d’une association de
malfaiteurs adroits qui préparaient leurs coups dans l’ombre avec
toutes les ressources de la science et d’une imagination cultivée.
 Il paierait cet honneur de sa tête… soit… mais c’était insuffisant.
Je devais à l’honneur de mon nom de démasquer les véritables
coupables, c’est-à-dire les bénéficiaires de cet attentat sans
précédent.
J’eus tout de suite dressé mes batteries.
— Voulez-vous me permettre, dis-je à M. Withworth, de relever
les numéros des titres qui étaient la propriété de M. Chancer ?
— Mais certainement, monsieur, me répondit le vieillard en se
dirigeant vers un cartonnier surmonté d’une potiche japonaise.
Et il me soumit un registre où se trouvaient méthodiquement
consignées les particularités afférentes à chaque valeur : séries,
numéros d’ordre, dates et prix d’achat, montant du revenu, nombre
de coupons demeurés au titre lors de l’acquisition, etc…
Ces renseignements étaient précieux et je les consignai
scrupuleusement sur mon calepin.
Tandis que j’écrivais, d’un rapide calcul de tête j’évaluais le
chiffre de la fortune de M. Chancer.
Elle se montait à quatre cent mille livres sterling !…
Il était évident que ce Pactole ne s’était pas englouti dans la
poche du seul Slang, chauffeur.
Après avoir remercié M. Withworth de l’amabilité avec laquelle il
s’était mis à ma disposition, je m’apprêtais à prendre, congé, quand
il me retint par la manche :
— Vous savez, dit-il, j’ai ici des objets merveilleux que vous ne
trouverez nulle part, pas même à Londres… Voici un buste de
Napoléon attribué à Hudson Lowe, une statuette de Nelson par Van
den Brocke, un chiffonnier ayant appartenu à Marie-Antoinette… un
manuscrit de Cromwell… le portrait du prince Albert, par Sweet…
J’ai aussi de fort jolis meubles moyen âge, des faïences italiennes
du seizième siècle et tenez… voici quelque chose qui ferait très bien
sur la cheminée de votre bureau : la tête de James Blomfield Rush,
pendu à Norfolk en avril 1849… Cette tête a été moulée par
Higghins, une heure après l’exécution…
 — Merci… fis-je… une autre fois… très curieux, en effet… Je
reviendrai certainement vous rendre visite, quand je serai moins
pressé…
— Dans l’attente de vos ordres, monsieur Dickson, répondit le
petit vieux en me remettant sa carte… Ici tous les objets vendus sont
garantis authentiques… et comme vous vous occupez de l’affaire de
Green-Park je vous ferai exceptionnellement des prix d’ami…
Décidément, quoiqu’il s’en défendît, ce M. Withworth était un
homme d’affaires et il savait profiter de toutes les circonstances.
Malheureusement il tombait mal, car j’avais d’autres
préoccupations en tête.
— Ah ! s’il eût offert de me vendre la piste de Slang, je la lui
aurais payée à prix d’or !
Muni des précieux renseignements qu’il m’avait donnés en ce qui
concernait les titres et les souverains de M. Chancer, je me rendis
en hâte au Police-Office, certain que j’allais émerveiller le chief-
inspector et l’édifier une fois de plus sur l’incapacité de ses agents.
 VII
CHEZ MR COXCOMB, CHIEF-
INSPECTOR

— Le chief-inspector ? demandai-je à un policeman qui somnolait

sur une chaise.
— Il est occupé, sir.
— C’est très urgent… faites-lui passer ma carte.
Le policeman eut un bâillement, se frotta les yeux de ses grosses
mains rouges, prit ma carte et disparut derrière une porte
capitonnée.
Quelques instants après, il revenait et me disait d’un ton
maussade :
— M. le chief-inspector est avec quelqu’un…
— En a-t-il pour longtemps ?
— Je n’en sais rien…
— C’est très urgent, insistai-je…
Cette fois le policeman ne répondit pas.
Je compris à son attitude que le chief-inspector avait dû, en
recevant ma carte, se livrer sur mon compte à quelque réflexion
désobligeante et le sous-ordre, persuadé que je n’étais qu’un
personnage de médiocre importance, en prenait maintenant à son
aise avec moi.
Au bout de trois quarts d’heure d’attente, je fus cependant admis
dans le bureau de M. Coxcomb, le grand maître de la police de
Melbourne.
C’était un homme d’un certain âge, à l’air intelligent, mais qui
était affligé d’un tic plutôt bizarre : une sorte de moue dédaigneuse
compliquée d’un plissement de la joue, de sorte qu’à certains
moments la pointe de sa moustache allait caresser son oreille droite.
Je déclinai mes nom et qualité, mais dès les premiers mots il
m’arrêta :
— Cela suffit, dit-il… quels renseignements venez-vous
m’apporter ?
— Je me suis occupé de l’affaire de Green-Park et…
Le chief-inspector eut un imperceptible haussement d’épaules :
— Nous sommes fixés sur cette affaire, monsieur… et j’ai
quelques raisons de croire que l’instruction va en être close… Il n’y a
eu ni assassinat ni vol…
— Pardon… fis-je avec énergie.
Le magistrat ne me laissa pas achever.
— Oui, je sais… vous appartenez à la police privée, monsieur
Dickson, et si l’on écoutait tous les rapports de la police privée, nous
arrêterions une bonne moitié de Melbourne.
J’insistai :
— Excusez-moi, monsieur, mais je ne partage pas votre avis en
ce qui concerne l’affaire de Green-Park…
— J’en suis fâché, monsieur, mais notre opinion est faite…
— Et si pourtant il y avait eu crime ?
— C’est vous qui le supposez…
— Je ne suppose pas, j’affirme.
 Et ma main gantée s’abattit péremptoirement sur la table du
chief-inspector.
— Les rapports des autorités sont là, dit-il en me regardant
ironiquement ; permettez que je leur fasse l’honneur de les prendre
en considération.
Et le chief-inspector se leva pour me reconduire, mais je ne suis
pas homme à me laisser congédier ainsi.
— Vous m’entendrez… insistai-je… oui, vous m’entendrez,
monsieur, en vertu du droit qu’a tout citoyen de déposer devant un
magistrat… Quand je vous dis : « M. Ugo Chancer a été assassiné »
c’est que je suis en mesure de fournir la preuve de ce que j’avance.
— Et cette preuve, monsieur ?
— Est là, dans ma poche.
Cette fois le magistrat se rassit et son tic s’accentua de telle
façon que la pointe de sa moustache dépassa certainement le lobe
de son oreille droite.
Je le sentais toujours hostile, mais mon ton avait fini par lui
imposer quand même.
— Je vous écoute, fit-il.
Je repris lentement :
— Bailey, le chief-inspector de Broad-West qui a fait les
premières constatations au domicile de M. Ugo Chancer n’a relevé
aucune trace d’effraction et il a retrouvé dans le tiroir du secrétaire
une somme de cent quatre-vingt-trois livres…
— Ce sont en effet les termes du rapport.
— Je n’y contredis pas, mais j’ai examiné les lieux, moi aussi…
or j’ai découvert les traces d’une effraction et cela en présence d’un
habitant de Broad-West, M. Gilbert Crawford qui pourra en
témoigner, sous la foi du serment.
— Bien… après ?
— Quant à la somme de cent quatre-vingt-trois livres, elle
n’existe pas…