# Tab Holland — The Clue of the New Pin character guide > Tab Holland in The Clue of the New Pin by Edgar Wallace. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Tab, Holland, Mr. Tab, Dear Tab **First appearance:** 0001-ii ## Snapshot A newspaperman whose easy charm masks a reporter's instinct, he falls hard for the actress at the center of a murder and starts pulling threads the police haven't found. ## Who they are Tab Holland moves between Fleet Street and Hertford, close enough to the Trasmere case to be useful and smitten enough with Ursula Ardfern to be reckless. When she asks him to quietly sell her jewels and give the money away, his devotion collides with a story he can't quite name. His access to both the press and the household makes him the reader's natural guide through the case's first half. ## Relationships ### [Ursula Ardfern](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_clue_of_the_new_pin_se/characters/ursula_ardfern) _romantic_ Tab and Ursula share a deep, affectionate bond with frequent interactions suggesting a romantic partnership or strong mutual attraction. ### [Rex Lander](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_clue_of_the_new_pin_se/characters/rex_lander) _rivalry_ Rex and Tab are locked in a tense, competitive dynamic, often clashing over Ursula or investigative leads. ### [Yeh Ling](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_clue_of_the_new_pin_se/characters/yeh_ling) _friendship_ Tab and Yeh Ling are close allies, sharing information and supporting each other through the mystery. ### [Jesse Trasmere](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_clue_of_the_new_pin_se/characters/jesse_trasmere) _rivalry_ Jesse and Tab are adversaries, with Jesse often obstructing Tab's investigation and harboring secrets. ### [Walters](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_clue_of_the_new_pin_se/characters/walters) _rivalry_ Tab and Walters are antagonists, with Walters often threatening or hindering Tab's progress. ### [Mr. Stott](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_clue_of_the_new_pin_se/characters/mr_stott) _professional_ Mr. Stott and Tab have a formal, cooperative relationship, sharing information about the case. ### [Ursula Ardfern](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_clue_of_the_new_pin_se/characters/ursula_ardfern) _romantic_ Tab and Ursula share a deep, affectionate bond with frequent interactions suggesting a romantic partnership or strong mutual attraction. ### [Rex Lander](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_clue_of_the_new_pin_se/characters/rex_lander) _rivalry_ Rex and Tab are locked in a tense, competitive dynamic, often clashing over Ursula or investigative leads. ### [Ursula Ardfern](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_clue_of_the_new_pin_se/characters/ursula_ardfern) _romantic_ Tab and Ursula share a deep, affectionate bond with frequent interactions suggesting a romantic partnership or strong mutual attraction. ### [Rex Lander](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_clue_of_the_new_pin_se/characters/rex_lander) _rivalry_ Rex and Tab are locked in a tense, competitive dynamic, often clashing over Ursula or investigative leads. ### [Jesse Trasmere](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_clue_of_the_new_pin_se/characters/jesse_trasmere) _rivalry_ Jesse and Tab are adversaries, with Jesse often obstructing Tab's investigation and harboring secrets. ### [Yeh Ling](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_clue_of_the_new_pin_se/characters/yeh_ling) _friendship_ Tab and Yeh Ling are close allies, sharing information and supporting each other through the mystery. ## In the story ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_clue_of_the_new_pin_se/chapters/ii) Visits Rex Lander, discusses Jesse Trasmere, later interviews Ursula Ardfern to debunk a marriage rumor. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_clue_of_the_new_pin_se/chapters/iv) Working late on journalism; deals with Wellington Brown's intrusion; covers a police siege; helps Ursula Ardfern with her car but does not mention the meeting to Rex. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_clue_of_the_new_pin_se/chapters/v) Wakes with Ursula Ardfern's name; discusses Wellington Brown's threats with Rex; meets Carver for lunch; identifies Walters; discovers Trasmere's body. ### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_clue_of_the_new_pin_se/chapters/vi) Assists Carver in the investigation, escorts Rex Lander home, and participates in the search of the vault. ### [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_clue_of_the_new_pin_se/chapters/vii) Investigates the murder, interviews the cook, finds a celluloid cap and a bent pin, and learns about the Greens and Ursula Ardfern's jewel theft. ### [VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_clue_of_the_new_pin_se/chapters/viii) Investigates the theft of Ursula Ardfern's jewels and visits her at Stone Cottage; learns of Rex's passion for her. ### [IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_clue_of_the_new_pin_se/chapters/ix) Assists Carver in the investigation, identifies the jewel-case, and decides to work with the police despite limitations on his reporting. ### [Chapter X](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_clue_of_the_new_pin_se/chapters/x) Returns the jewel case to Ursula and reports to Carver; sensitive to Ursula's changing demeanor. ### [XII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_clue_of_the_new_pin_se/chapters/xii) Announces Ursula's retirement, ends flat-sharing with Rex, visits Ursula at Stone Cottage, agrees to sell her jewels for charity, and writes the story for the Megaphone. ### [XIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_clue_of_the_new_pin_se/chapters/xiii) Accompanies Carver to Mayfield after the break-in; silently identifies the woman as Ursula Ardfern but keeps it to himself; begins to question Trasmere's character. ### [XIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_clue_of_the_new_pin_se/chapters/xiv) Visits Ursula at the Central Hotel, struggles with his feelings for her, and learns of her lies. ### [XV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_clue_of_the_new_pin_se/chapters/xv) Visits Yeh Ling's construction site, meets Ursula, learns about Yeh Ling from Jacques, and returns home to find evidence of an intruder. ### [XVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_clue_of_the_new_pin_se/chapters/xvi) Discovers the burglary, investigates the flat, and later receives Ursula's visit about the haunting. ### [XVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_clue_of_the_new_pin_se/chapters/xvii) Accompanies Carver to Stone Cottage, acts as intermediary between Carver and Ursula, and participates in the night watch. ### [XVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_clue_of_the_new_pin_se/chapters/xviii) Marvels at Yeh Ling's honor and feels a pang of jealousy over Ursula's gratitude toward Yeh Ling. ### [XIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_clue_of_the_new_pin_se/chapters/xix) Accompanies Carver during Walters' arrest and questions whether Carver has the right man. ### [XX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_clue_of_the_new_pin_se/chapters/xx) Attacked in his flat by a burglar who ransacks his rooms; reports to Carver and receives a telegram from Rex. ### [XXIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_clue_of_the_new_pin_se/chapters/xxiii) Visits Ursula Ardfern, discusses the inheritance and the murder case; later works on the story and meets with his editor and Inspector Carver. ### [XXV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_clue_of_the_new_pin_se/chapters/xxv) Receives Rex at the flat, updates him on the burglary and murder, visits Yeh Ling's construction site, and discusses the case. ### [XXVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_clue_of_the_new_pin_se/chapters/xxvi) Tab informs Rex of his engagement to Ursula, visits Ursula at Stone Cottage, and learns her confession. ### [XXVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_clue_of_the_new_pin_se/chapters/xxvii) Investigates Ursula's past by calling his news editor Jacques, learns that Willard Ardfern was not executed but fled the country, and supports Ursula emotionally. ### [XXVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_clue_of_the_new_pin_se/chapters/xxviii) Dines with Ursula at the Golden Roof; admires Yeh Ling's preparations; is surprised by Rex Lander's appearance. ### [XXIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_clue_of_the_new_pin_se/chapters/xxix) Hosts the dinner, escorts Ursula to the theatre, and offers Carver a place to stay. ### [The Night Attack](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_clue_of_the_new_pin_se/chapters/xxx) Wakes to the attack, helps calm neighbors, and speaks with Rex by phone. ### [XXXI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_clue_of_the_new_pin_se/chapters/xxxi) Visits Stone Cottage with Ursula, questions her about Yeh Ling, then meets Rex at Mayfield after a mysterious phone call. ### [XXXII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_clue_of_the_new_pin_se/chapters/xxxii) Awakens bound and handcuffed in the vault, realizes Rex Lander is the murderer, and tries to reason with him while searching for escape. ### [XXXIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_clue_of_the_new_pin_se/chapters/xxxiii) Bound and handcuffed in the vault, Tab analyzes Rex's madness and attempts to escape, but drops the key and realizes the building is on fire. ### [XXXIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_clue_of_the_new_pin_se/chapters/xxxiv) Called by Rex Lander and went out; Carver fears he has been taken to Mayfield and is in danger. ### [XXXV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_clue_of_the_new_pin_se/chapters/xxxv) Handcuffed in the burning Mayfield, he is rescued by Mr. Stott and later freed by a policeman. ### [XXXVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_clue_of_the_new_pin_se/chapters/xxxvi) Accompanies Carver to Stone Cottage, discovers the cut wire and signs of struggle, and finds Ursula safe. ### [XXXVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_clue_of_the_new_pin_se/chapters/xxxvii) Mentioned as believed dead by Rex, who regrets his written confession. ### [XXXVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_clue_of_the_new_pin_se/chapters/xxxviii) Assists Carver in the investigation, learns the truth about Lander's guilt and the key trick. ### [XXXIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_clue_of_the_new_pin_se/chapters/xxxix) Attends the party with Ursula, is scolded by Jacques for his writing, and is tasked with covering Yeh Ling's pillars. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_clue_of_the_new_pin_se/characters/tab_holland - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_clue_of_the_new_pin_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_clue_of_the_new_pin_se/characters