# XXV explained — The Clue of the New Pin

> Chapter companion for The Clue of the New Pin by Edgar Wallace.

## What happens

Rex Lander returns from his travels and learns of the burglary at his flat and the murder of Wellington Brown. He decides to wall up the vault at Stone Cottage. Tab visits Yeh Ling's new house, where the second pillar is being cast, and Yeh Ling reveals he knows the identity of the murderer.

## Themes in this chapter

### Cultural Clash and Orientalism

Yeh Ling contrasts Chinese and Western religious symbols, criticizing church steeples and defending his pillars as meaningful monuments.

### Memory and the Past

Yeh Ling's Pillar of Grateful Memories commemorates past kindnesses, and Ursula reflects on his long-held gratitude.

### Crime and Justice

The ongoing investigation into Wellington Brown's murder continues, with Yeh Ling claiming to know the killer's identity.

## Character check-ins

### Tab Holland

Receives Rex at the flat, updates him on the burglary and murder, visits Yeh Ling's construction site, and discusses the case.

### Rex Lander

Returns from his voyage, learns of the burglary, decides to wall up the vault, and enthusiastically begins overseeing the work.

### Yeh Ling

Supervises the final touches on his house and the casting of the Pillar of Grateful Memories, discusses philosophy with Tab, and claims to know the murderer's identity.

### Ursula Ardfern

Writes to Tab from Stone Cottage, describing her butler, target practice, and Yeh Ling's dedication of a pillar to her.

### Inspector Carver

Mentioned as being visited by Rex and as being rattled but mysterious about the case.

### Wellington Brown

Referred to as the victim of the second murder; Yeh Ling reveals he took Brown to an opium house at Trasmere's request.

## Key lines

> And as you decided to chuck me out, perhaps you will come and dine pretty frequently.

Since you've decided to kick me out, you might as well come over for dinner often.

_Rex jokingly suggests Tab will visit him regularly after being asked to leave the flat._

> I have come back here and am entrenched against all mysterious Men in Black with an aged but active butler, who has served in the army and is acquainted with the use of lethal weapons.

I've returned to Stone Cottage and fortified myself against any mysterious intruders with an elderly but capable butler who has military experience and knows how to handle weapons.

_Ursula describes her defensive preparations in her letter to Tab._

> It is the Pillar of Grateful Recollection, or something of the sort, and it is to be dedicated to—me.

It's called the Pillar of Grateful Recollection, or something like that, and it's going to be dedicated to me.

_Ursula shares that Yeh Ling is dedicating a pillar to her as a token of gratitude._

> I am learning to shoot. Forgive this inconsequence, but my butler (how grand that sounds!) is very insistent, and I practice every day in the meadows behind the house.

I'm taking shooting lessons. Pardon the random topic, but my butler (it feels so fancy to say that!) insists on it, and I train daily in the fields behind the house.

_Ursula mentions her new hobby of target practice under her butler's guidance._

> My Pillar of Grateful Memories will have a greater significance than all your steepples, than all your stained glass windows. It is to me what your War Memorial Crosses are to you, a concrete symbol (literally concrete) of an intangible sentiment.

My Pillar of Grateful Memories will mean more than all your church steeples and stained glass. To me, it's like your war memorial crosses—a physical representation of an abstract feeling.

_Yeh Ling explains the personal and cultural importance of his pillar to Tab._

> I go always to the brook.

I always drink directly from the source.

_Yeh Ling uses a metaphor to describe his preference for direct spiritual experience over organized religion._

> I have an idea, I know the murderer. I could lay my hands upon him without the slightest difficulty.

I have a suspicion—I know who the killer is. I could find him easily.

_Yeh Ling claims to know the identity of Wellington Brown's murderer._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_clue_of_the_new_pin_se/chapters/xxv
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_clue_of_the_new_pin_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_clue_of_the_new_pin_se/chapters