# XXXVIII explained — The Clue of the New Pin

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

## What happens

Inspector Carver and Tab Holland examine the crime scene at Ursula Ardfern's home, finding bloodstains and car tracks. Carver deduces that Rex Lander is the murderer of Jesse Trasmere, having forged a will and used a key trick to lock the vault. Ursula reveals she knew Lander was guilty because Trasmere could not read or write English, exposing the will as a forgery. Carver explains Lander's elaborate plan, including sending a telegram to Walters to clear the house. The chapter ends with Carver wondering where Lander is, while Lander sleeps peacefully in prison.

## Themes in this chapter

### Crime and Justice

The chapter focuses on the meticulous reconstruction of Lander's murder plot and the pursuit of justice by Carver and Tab.

### Identity and Secrecy

Trasmere's secret illiteracy in English and Lander's hidden criminal identity are central to the plot's resolution.

### Loyalty and Betrayal

Ursula's loyalty to Trasmere contrasts with Lander's betrayal of his uncle for financial gain.

## Character check-ins

### Inspector Carver

Investigates the crime scene, explains Lander's murder plan, and deduces the forgery of Trasmere's will.

### Tab Holland

Assists Carver in the investigation, learns the truth about Lander's guilt and the key trick.

### Ursula Ardfern

Reveals she knew Lander was the murderer because Trasmere could not read or write English, confirming the will was a forgery.

### Rex Lander

Confirmed as Trasmere's murderer; his elaborate plan involving a forged will, a key trick, and a telegram to Walters is detailed. He is currently sleeping in prison.

### Jesse Trasmere

The victim; revealed to be illiterate in English but scholarly in Chinese, which led to his reliance on Ursula and the exposure of the forged will.

### Walters

A convicted thief who was tricked by Lander into leaving the house via a fake telegram, allowing Lander to commit the murder.

## Key lines

> There are bloodstains on the stairs, and on the garden path outside. There is also the mark of car wheels which have evidently been backed from the lane where Lander usually kept his car, but beyond that, all trace is lost.

Carver points out bloodstains and tire tracks at the scene, but no further clues remain.

_Carver summarizes the physical evidence at Ursula's home._

> I knew he was the murderer the day that Tab told me about the will Mr. Trasmere had left.

Ursula explains she realized Lander was guilty when she learned about the will.

_Ursula reveals her prior knowledge of Lander's guilt._

> Mr. Trasmere could not read or write English!

Trasmere was illiterate in English, making the handwritten will an obvious forgery.

_The key revelation that exposes Lander's crime._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_clue_of_the_new_pin_se/chapters/xxxviii
- 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