The Secret of the Old Clock · Chapter
XX: What Nancy Found explained
Nancy Drew hides in a manger as three robbers return to the barn, narrowly escaping detection.
What happens
Nancy Drew hides in a manger as three robbers return to the barn, narrowly escaping detection. After they leave, she retrieves the Crowley clock and flees to her roadster. Driven by curiosity, she examines the clock and discovers a tiny blue notebook hidden behind its face, confirming her hopes.
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 Falling action.
- 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's investigation leads her to the hidden notebook inside the clock.
- Courage in Adversity
Nancy hides from robbers and risks discovery to retrieve the clock.
- Resourcefulness and Independence
Nancy uses a small tool to pry off the clock face and find the notebook.
Characters to notice
- Nancy Drew
Hides from robbers, retrieves the clock, and discovers the notebook.
- Abigail Rowen
Her story about the clock is referenced by Nancy.
- Josiah Crowley
His notebook is the object Nancy seeks inside the clock.
- Ada Topham
Mentioned in Nancy's recollection of overheard conversation.
- Isabel Topham
Mentioned in Nancy's recollection of overheard conversation.
Key passages
“I’ll go for the police as fast as I can and send them after the robbers,” she decided. “The Tophams don’t deserve any consideration, but I couldn’t be mean enough to sit quietly by and let them lose their household goods.”
Nancy resolves to alert the authorities about the thieves, despite her dislike for the Tophams, because she cannot stand by while their property is stolen.
Shows Nancy's sense of justice overriding personal feelings.
“Eureka!” There, at one side of the clock, attached to a hook in the top, dangled a tiny blue notebook!”
Nancy exclaims in triumph when she finds the small blue notebook hanging inside the clock.
Climactic discovery moment in the chapter.
