The Clue of the New Pin · Chapter
VI explained
Tab Holland and Inspector Carver investigate the locked vault where Jesse Trasmere has been found dead.
What happens
Tab Holland and Inspector Carver investigate the locked vault where Jesse Trasmere has been found dead. They discover that the key to the vault is stained with blood, ruling out suicide. Rex Lander recounts his arrival at the house and his encounter with the agitated valet Walters. Carver finds evidence that Walters was making a duplicate key. The will leaves everything to Rex Lander. Wellington Brown's gloves are found at the scene, making him a suspect. The vault is eventually opened, revealing Trasmere's body shot in the back.
Themes in this chapter
Crime and Justice
The chapter focuses on the investigation of Trasmere's murder, with Carver gathering evidence and identifying suspects.
Wealth and Power
Trasmere's vault contains vast sums of money and documents, and his will transfers his fortune to Rex Lander.
Loyalty and Betrayal
Walters, a trusted servant, appears to have been making a duplicate key, suggesting betrayal, while Rex Lander inherits despite earlier rejection.
Characters to notice
- Tab Holland
Assists Carver in the investigation, escorts Rex Lander home, and participates in the search of the vault.
- Rex Lander
Arrives at Trasmere's house by appointment, discovers the locked vault, and later inherits Trasmere's estate.
- Inspector Carver
Leads the investigation, finds the blood-stained key, discovers Walters' key-making tools, and identifies Wellington Brown as a suspect.
- Jesse Trasmere
Found dead in his vault, shot in the back; his will leaves everything to his nephew Rex Lander.
- Walters
Trasmere's valet, seen leaving the house agitated with a bag; evidence suggests he was making a duplicate key to the vault.
- Wellington Brown
His gloves are found at the crime scene, making him a prime suspect in Trasmere's murder.
Key passages
“There’s no sign of a weapon—but by the smell there has been some shooting.”
No weapon is visible, but the gunpowder odor indicates a firearm was discharged.
Carver observes the scene through the ventilator.
“I came to the house this afternoon by appointment. My uncle had written to me asking me to see him about an application which I had made to him for a loan.”
Rex Lander explains that he visited Trasmere because his uncle had summoned him regarding a loan request.
Rex recounts his arrival to Carver.
“He was shot at the range of about two yards. No, Mr. Carver, it is impossible that he should have committed suicide, there is no burning whatever.”
The doctor confirms that Trasmere was shot from close range and could not have killed himself, as there are no powder burns.
Medical examination rules out suicide.
“This disposes of the suicide theory.”
The blood-stained key eliminates the possibility that Trasmere took his own life.
Carver concludes the murder was not a suicide.