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The Secret of the Old Clock · Chapters

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Chapter companions for The Secret of the Old Clock by Carolyn Keene.

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  1. Chapter 1

    The Lost Will

    Nancy Drew learns from her father, Carson Drew, about the suspicious circumstances surrounding Josiah Crowley's will, which left his entire fortune to the snobbish Topham family. Nancy suspects a missing second will and persuades her father to investigate by questioning attorney Mr. Rolsted.

  2. Chapter 2

    II: A Chance Meeting

    Nancy Drew learns from a luncheon with her father and Mr. Rolsted that Josiah Crowley may have drawn up a second will cutting out the Tophams. Despite lacking clues, she becomes determined to find the missing will. Later, while shopping, she overhears Ada and Isabel Topham rudely demanding service, confirming their entitlement.

  3. Chapter 3

    III: Racing the Storm

    Nancy Drew agrees to deliver legal documents to Judge Hartgrave in Masonville for her father. After completing the errand and having lunch with the judge, she decides to take the scenic River Road home despite threatening clouds. A violent storm catches her on the road, forcing her to take shelter in a dilapidated barn. There she meets a girl her own age who speaks with a cultured voice and lives in isolation. Nancy senses an unusual story behind the girl and her circumstances.

  4. Chapter 4

    An Interesting Story

    Nancy Drew meets the Horner sisters, Grace and Allie, during a storm and learns about their connection to Josiah Crowley. The sisters share their belief that Crowley intended to leave them an inheritance, but the Tophams inherited everything. Nancy offers to involve her father, a lawyer, to help uncover the truth.

  5. Chapter 5

    V: A Conference

    Nancy and her father, Carson Drew, meet with the Horner sisters to discuss the missing will of Josiah Crowley. The sisters reveal that Crowley hinted at hiding a second will, possibly in the Topham house. Carson Drew agrees to help but warns that without the will, little can be done. Nancy remains determined to find a way to secure the inheritance for the Horners.

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  1. Chapter 6VI: An Unpleasant Encounter
  2. Chapter 7VII: Nancy Turns Sleuth
  3. Chapter 8VIII: A Discouraging Day
  4. Chapter 9IX: Vital Information
  5. Chapter 10X: Abigail's Disclosure
  6. Chapter 11Visiting the Tophams
  7. Chapter 12XII: Following a Clue
  8. Chapter 13An Adventure
  9. Chapter 14An Exciting Discovery
  10. Chapter 15XV: A Desperate Situation
  11. Chapter 16Left to Starve
  12. Chapter 17XVII: Jeff Tucker’s Story
  13. Chapter 18Notifying the Police
  14. Chapter 19XIX: A Risky Undertaking
  15. Chapter 20XX: What Nancy Found
  16. Chapter 21Capturing the Robbers
  17. Chapter 22XXII: What the Notebook Revealed
  18. Chapter 23Looking for the Will
  19. Chapter 24The Coup de Grâce
  20. Chapter 25A Reward