# Ursula Ardfern — The Clue of the New Pin character guide > Ursula Ardfern in The Clue of the New Pin by Edgar Wallace. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Miss Ardfern, Ursula, Miss Ursula Ardfern, X Ursula **First appearance:** 0002-iii ## Snapshot A celebrated actress who has quietly stepped back from the stage, she asks Tab to give away a fortune in jewels and carries a secret heavier than the gift. ## Who they are Ursula Ardfern lives outside Hertford in a house with a Chinese garden, pale and thinner than when Tab first saw her, and speaks of money with the weariness of someone who has had too much of it. She wants her Trasmere jewels sold and the proceeds distributed anonymously, refusing to be named as the donor. Her composure and her refusal to explain herself are what draw Tab in — and what make her eventual confession land like a dropped stone. ## Relationships ### [Tab Holland](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_clue_of_the_new_pin_se/characters/tab_holland) _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) _romantic_ Rex pursues Ursula with persistent romantic interest, creating a love triangle with Tab. ### [Yeh Ling](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_clue_of_the_new_pin_se/characters/yeh_ling) _friendship_ Ursula and Yeh Ling are confidantes, sharing personal secrets and supporting one another. ### [Jesse Trasmere](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_clue_of_the_new_pin_se/characters/jesse_trasmere) _family_ Jesse is Ursula's uncle or guardian, exerting authority and control over her life. ### [Tab Holland](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_clue_of_the_new_pin_se/characters/tab_holland) _romantic_ Tab and Ursula share a deep, affectionate bond with frequent interactions suggesting a romantic partnership or strong mutual attraction. ### [Tab Holland](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_clue_of_the_new_pin_se/characters/tab_holland) _romantic_ Tab and Ursula share a deep, affectionate bond with frequent interactions suggesting a romantic partnership or strong mutual attraction. ### [Yeh Ling](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_clue_of_the_new_pin_se/characters/yeh_ling) _friendship_ Ursula and Yeh Ling are confidantes, sharing personal secrets and supporting one another. ### [Jesse Trasmere](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_clue_of_the_new_pin_se/characters/jesse_trasmere) _family_ Jesse is Ursula's uncle or guardian, exerting authority and control over her life. ### [Rex Lander](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_clue_of_the_new_pin_se/characters/rex_lander) _romantic_ Rex pursues Ursula with persistent romantic interest, creating a love triangle with Tab. ### [Rex Lander](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_clue_of_the_new_pin_se/characters/rex_lander) _romantic_ Rex pursues Ursula with persistent romantic interest, creating a love triangle with Tab. ### [Yeh Ling](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_clue_of_the_new_pin_se/characters/yeh_ling) _friendship_ Ursula and Yeh Ling are confidantes, sharing personal secrets and supporting one another. ### [Jesse Trasmere](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_clue_of_the_new_pin_se/characters/jesse_trasmere) _family_ Jesse is Ursula's uncle or guardian, exerting authority and control over her life. ## In the story ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_clue_of_the_new_pin_se/chapters/ii) Interviewed by Tab about a false marriage rumor; shows her jewelry and dismisses the rumor. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_clue_of_the_new_pin_se/chapters/iv) Encountered by Tab at dawn with a burst tire; dressed plainly and carrying a black case; claims to have been at a party. ### [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_clue_of_the_new_pin_se/chapters/vii) Mentioned as an actress whose jewels have been stolen, a new case for the news editor. ### [VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_clue_of_the_new_pin_se/chapters/viii) Hosts Tab at Stone Cottage; downplays the jewel theft and expresses relief at possibly losing them. ### [IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_clue_of_the_new_pin_se/chapters/ix) Her stolen jewels are found in Trasmere's vault; Tab is sent to ask her to identify the case. ### [Chapter X](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_clue_of_the_new_pin_se/chapters/x) Returns her jewel case but seems relieved when told no personal documents were found; later collapses after fainting during her performance. ### [XII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_clue_of_the_new_pin_se/chapters/xii) Retires from the stage, moves to Stone Cottage, writes to Tab asking him to visit, requests he sell her jewels and donate proceeds to charity anonymously, reveals a past encounter with a Chinese family. ### [XIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_clue_of_the_new_pin_se/chapters/xiii) Implied to be the woman who garaged her car at Trasmere's and entered the house with a square black bag; Tab suspects her but finds the idea unthinkable. ### [XIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_clue_of_the_new_pin_se/chapters/xiv) Admits to lying about knowing Trasmere and the lost jewel-case; refuses to fully explain yet. ### [XV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_clue_of_the_new_pin_se/chapters/xv) Encountered by Tab at Yeh Ling's house; she admits to knowing Yeh Ling well and frequents the Golden Roof. ### [XVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_clue_of_the_new_pin_se/chapters/xvi) Visits Tab, reports a mysterious man in black at Stone Cottage, and plans to move back to the Central Hotel. ### [XVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_clue_of_the_new_pin_se/chapters/xvii) Hosts Tab and Carver at Stone Cottage, is revealed to have been Trasmere's secretary, and participates in the night vigil. ### [XVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_clue_of_the_new_pin_se/chapters/xviii) Expresses gratitude to Yeh Ling for his protection; is surprised to learn of his long-term watch over her. ### [XIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_clue_of_the_new_pin_se/chapters/xix) Mentioned in Walters' statement as visiting Trasmere late at night; he overhears Trasmere asking her about a pin. ### [XX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_clue_of_the_new_pin_se/chapters/xx) Discussed by Carver and Tab; her secretarial activities and possible secret are speculated upon. ### [XXIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_clue_of_the_new_pin_se/chapters/xxiii) Reacted with shock upon learning Rex Lander inherited via a handwritten will; drops the prefix 'Mr.' when addressing Tab in distress. ### [XXIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_clue_of_the_new_pin_se/chapters/xxiv) Confronts Yeh Ling about the papers, seeking truth about her parents. Shows forgiveness and humor, shaking her own hand to avoid contact. ### [XXV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_clue_of_the_new_pin_se/chapters/xxv) Writes to Tab from Stone Cottage, describing her butler, target practice, and Yeh Ling's dedication of a pillar to her. ### [XXVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_clue_of_the_new_pin_se/chapters/xxvi) Ursula confesses to Tab that she killed Jesse Trasmere, practices revolver shooting, and shares a romantic afternoon with Tab. ### [XXVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_clue_of_the_new_pin_se/chapters/xxvii) Reveals her father's murder of her mother, her upbringing in an orphanage, and her complex relationship with Jesse Trasmere. Confesses indirect responsibility for Trasmere's death. ### [XXVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_clue_of_the_new_pin_se/chapters/xxviii) Dines with Tab; wears an expensive ring; forgives Rex Lander for past actions. ### [XXIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_clue_of_the_new_pin_se/chapters/xxix) Dines with Tab and Rex, is silent and pensive on the way to the theatre, and seems absorbed in the play. ### [The Night Attack](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_clue_of_the_new_pin_se/chapters/xxx) Carver asks Tab not to tell her about the attack. ### [XXXI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_clue_of_the_new_pin_se/chapters/xxxi) Picks up Tab for lunch at Stone Cottage, defends Yeh Ling's loyalty, and reveals she nearly shot one of Yeh Ling's sentinels. ### [XXXII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_clue_of_the_new_pin_se/chapters/xxxii) Mentioned as the object of Rex's obsession; Tab recalls her words about being the indirect cause of Trasmere's death. ### [XXXIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_clue_of_the_new_pin_se/chapters/xxxiii) Tab mentions saving Ursula, which enrages Rex and leads to the fire. ### [XXXIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_clue_of_the_new_pin_se/chapters/xxxiv) Carver calls her to check on Tab's whereabouts; she confirms Tab left at half-past eight. ### [XXXVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_clue_of_the_new_pin_se/chapters/xxxvi) Found safe in bed at Stone Cottage, hiding a steel object under her pillow. ### [XXXVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_clue_of_the_new_pin_se/chapters/xxxvii) The object of Rex's obsession; she is asleep in her house during the events. ### [XXXVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_clue_of_the_new_pin_se/chapters/xxxviii) Reveals she knew Lander was the murderer because Trasmere could not read or write English, confirming the will was a forgery. ### [XXXIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_clue_of_the_new_pin_se/chapters/xxxix) Accepts Yeh Ling's invitation, enjoys the party, and questions Yeh Ling about Rex Lander and Wellington Brown. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_clue_of_the_new_pin_se/characters/ursula_ardfern - 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