The Secret of the Old Clock · Chapter
X: Abigail's Disclosure explained
Nancy Drew visits Abigail Rowen, who reveals that Josiah Crowley hid a notebook containing the location of his second will.
What happens
Nancy Drew visits Abigail Rowen, who reveals that Josiah Crowley hid a notebook containing the location of his second will. Abigail recalls that the notebook was hidden in a family clock, which likely went to the Tophams. Nancy theorizes the notebook is still inside the clock and must find a way to search the Topham residence. Later, she meets Helen Corning, who is selling charity tickets for a dance. Nancy buys two tickets and then offers to sell the rest, seeing them as a pretext to gain entry to the Topham house.
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.
- Setup
- Escalation
- Breaking point
- Aftermath
- Closing
Nancy reaches her emotional and psychological peak of terror and hopelessness here, as she shifts from frantic…
Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.
Follow the arc while readingThemes in this chapter
- Mystery and Detection
Nancy pieces together clues from Abigail's memory, linking the clock to the missing notebook and will.
- Resourcefulness and Independence
Nancy devises a clever plan to use charity tickets as a pretext to enter the Topham house.
Characters to notice
- Nancy Drew
Visits Abigail Rowen, learns about the notebook and clock, devises a plan to use charity tickets to enter the Topham residence.
- Abigail Rowen
Discloses that Josiah Crowley hid a notebook about his will in a family clock, but cannot recall where the notebook is now.
- Helen Corning
Meets Nancy on the street, sells her charity tickets, and mentions she is going to Moon Lake.
- Josiah Crowley
Referenced as having made a second will and hidden a notebook in the family clock.
Key passages
“I'll not tell the Horner girls what I have learned... At least not until I have learned more about the family clock.”
Nancy decides to keep her discovery about the clock from the Horner sisters until she has more evidence.
Nancy's caution and consideration for the Horners' feelings.
“These tickets will serve as my passport to the impregnable Topham fortress!”
Nancy sees the charity tickets as a way to gain entry to the Topham house.
Nancy's clever use of the tickets as a strategic tool.
