← All chapters

The Bungalow Mystery · Chapter

XII: Nancy Bides Her Time explained

After fleeing from Jacob Aborn, Nancy decides to investigate his activities further.

What happens

After fleeing from Jacob Aborn, Nancy decides to investigate his activities further. She checks into a hotel, calls Laura to reassure her, and waits for nightfall. She then drives to Aborn's bungalow, enters through Laura's window using a trellis, and hides in a closet when she hears footsteps approaching.

Read this chapter freeBook page

Free preview opens on this chapter — companions, themes, and character notes appear beside the text.

Narrative arc

Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Exposition.

SetupEscalationAftermathClimax
  • Setup
  • Escalation
  • Breaking point
  • Aftermath
  • Closing

This is the story's dramatic climax because it represents the emotional and psychological peak of despair and…

Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.

Follow the arc while reading

Themes in this chapter

  • Courage and Perseverance

    Nancy resolves to investigate despite the danger, climbing a trellis and hiding in a closet to help Laura.

  • Deception and Identity

    Nancy suspects Jacob Aborn is hiding something and believes his charges against Laura are false.

  • Resourcefulness and Ingenuity

    Nancy uses a trellis to enter the bungalow, hides in a closet, and plans her investigation carefully.

Characters to notice

  • Nancy Drew

    Plans and executes a nighttime investigation of Jacob Aborn's bungalow, climbing a trellis to enter Laura's room and hiding in a closet when footsteps approach.

  • Laura Pendleton

    Receives a phone call from Nancy, expresses fear for Nancy's safety, and is mentioned as having left her window unfastened.

  • Jacob Aborn

    Suspected of mischief and of intending to harm Laura; Nancy believes he was about to strike her earlier and is determined to uncover his game.

  • Hannah Gruen

    Answers the phone at the Drew home and calls Laura to the telephone.

Key passages

  • “I believe that man intended to strike me... He became positively vicious when I refused to tell him where Laura is.”

    Nancy thinks Jacob Aborn was about to hit her and grew angry when she wouldn't reveal Laura's location.

    Shows Aborn's threatening behavior and Nancy's determination.

  • “I don't want to leave Melrose Lake until I have learned something that will help Laura.”

    Nancy is committed to staying until she finds information that can aid Laura.

    Highlights Nancy's perseverance and loyalty.

  • “If I don't telephone again within twenty-four hours send the police to Jacob Aborn's bungalow looking for me.”

    Nancy instructs Laura to alert the police if she doesn't hear from her within a day.

    Demonstrates Nancy's awareness of the danger and her cautious planning.

Continue in the readerAll chapters