Rex Lander

Tab Holland

Rex and Tab are locked in a tense, competitive dynamic, often clashing over Ursula or investigative leads.

Ursula Ardfern

Rex pursues Ursula with persistent romantic interest, creating a love triangle with Tab.

Jesse Trasmere

Jesse and Rex have a business-like connection, possibly involving financial or criminal dealings.

Yeh Ling

Rex and Yeh Ling are acquaintances, interacting occasionally but without deep connection.

Tab Holland

Rex and Tab are locked in a tense, competitive dynamic, often clashing over Ursula or investigative leads.

Tab Holland

Rex and Tab are locked in a tense, competitive dynamic, often clashing over Ursula or investigative leads.

Jesse Trasmere

Jesse and Rex have a business-like connection, possibly involving financial or criminal dealings.

Ursula Ardfern

Rex pursues Ursula with persistent romantic interest, creating a love triangle with Tab.

Ursula Ardfern

Rex pursues Ursula with persistent romantic interest, creating a love triangle with Tab.

Yeh Ling

Rex and Yeh Ling are acquaintances, interacting occasionally but without deep connection.

Yeh Ling

Rex and Yeh Ling are acquaintances, interacting occasionally but without deep connection.

II

Discusses his uncle Jesse Trasmere's miserly habits and wealth with Tab.

IV

Present in Tab's flat; confronts Wellington Brown; expresses disdain for his uncle Jesse Trasmere's past.

V

Reports Wellington Brown's visit and threats; agrees to warn his uncle; rushes out of Mayfield in terror after finding Trasmere dead.

VI

Arrives at Trasmere's house by appointment, discovers the locked vault, and later inherits Trasmere's estate.

VII

Found asleep at Tab's flat, expresses horror at the murder and disinterest in his uncle's will.

VIII

Confesses his adoration for Ursula Ardfern to Tab; reveals he spoke indirectly to his uncle about her.

IX

Arranges for Carver to use Trasmere's car and offers to pay expenses; referred to as 'Good old Babe'.

XII

Shows little interest in Ursula's retirement, sails for Naples after Tab insists on ending their shared flat, still troubled by the events.

XV

Absent from the flat; sent a radio saying his health has improved.

XVI

His trunk is broken into; he is away in Naples.

XIX

Seen by Walters at the gate as he flees the house; described as Trasmere's nephew whom Trasmere disliked.

XX

Sends a telegram from Naples stating he is going on to Egypt and is 'quite recovered'.

XXIII

Mentioned as having written to Tab and inherited Trasmere's property as next of kin via a handwritten will.

XXV

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

XXVI

Rex reacts generously to Tab's news about Ursula, discusses building plans, and intends to persuade Yeh Ling to sell the hill site.

XXVIII

Interrupts Tab and Ursula's dinner; spots a mysterious figure outside the door; expresses interest in architecture.

XXIX

Attends the dinner, bids farewell to Ursula and Tab, and leaves.

The Night Attack

Called by phone at the Pitt Hotel; interviewed by Carver the next morning.

XXXI

Calls Tab with an urgent discovery about the murder method, accuses Carver and Yeh Ling of involvement, and meets Tab at Mayfield.

XXXII

Confesses to killing Jesse Trasmere and Wellington Brown, reveals his madness and obsession with Ursula Ardfern, writes a confession, and traps Tab in the vault using a pin-and-thread mechanism.

XXXIII

Rex taunts Tab from outside the vault, is enraged by Tab's insults, and sets the building on fire after Tab mentions Ursula.

XXXIV

Wanted for murder, forgery, attempted murder, and burglary; his hotel room is searched and he is absent, having likely taken Tab to Mayfield.

XXXVII

Obsessed with Ursula, plans to marry her by force, breaks into her house, and is killed by Yeh Ling.

XXXVIII

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.