# The Next Move explained — The Hidden Staircase

> Chapter companion for The Hidden Staircase by Carolyn Keene.

## What happens

Nancy oversleeps and learns that the Turnbull sisters have agreed to sell The Mansion to Nathan Gombet. She reveals she has solved the mystery, proving Gombet is the ghost using a hidden staircase connecting the houses. Nancy leads the sisters through the secret passages, discovering panels behind a closet and under a sofa seat. They realize Gombet stole items and spied on them. Nancy drives to the police to have Gombet arrested.

## Themes in this chapter

### Courage and Resourcefulness

Nancy's daring exploration of the dark, dangerous hidden staircase alone at night and her systematic discovery of secret panels exemplify her bravery and cleverness.

### Deception and Hidden Truths

Nathan Gombet's elaborate scheme—using a secret tunnel, spying through hidden panels, and faking a ghost—is fully exposed, revealing the layers of deceit.

### Justice and Morality

Nancy's determination to bring Gombet to justice and prevent the Turnbull sisters from being cheated out of their home underscores the moral drive for fairness.

## Character check-ins

### Nancy Drew

Reveals the mystery solution, leads exploration of hidden staircases, and drives to summon the police.

### Floretta Turnbull

Hesitant but follows Nancy into the secret passages; learns her dresses and diamond pin were stolen via the hidden panel.

### Rosemary Turnbull

Listlessly reports accepting Gombet's offer; joins Nancy in exploring the staircase and deducing Gombet's methods.

### Nathan Gombet

Revealed as the ghost who used the secret tunnel to steal items and spy; visited that morning to finalize the house purchase.

## Key lines

> “I’ve solved the mystery at last.”

Nancy announces that she has finally figured out the entire mystery.

_This is the pivotal moment where Nancy reveals her solution to the Turnbull sisters._

> “Nathan Gombet is the ghost—just as I suspected.”

Nancy confirms that Nathan Gombet is the one pretending to be a ghost.

_Nancy directly identifies the culprit behind the haunting._

> “It leads to a tunnel which connects The Mansion with Nathan Gombet’s house.”

The hidden staircase leads to a tunnel linking the mansion to Gombet's home.

_Nancy explains the physical connection that enabled Gombet's nightly intrusions._

> “I have discovered a hidden stairway,” she informed them, as she flashed her candle in the direction of the old highboy.

Nancy shows the Turnbull sisters the secret staircase she found behind the highboy.

_This is the first revelation of the hidden passage to the sisters._

> “We must bring Nathan Gombet to justice if we can!”

Nancy insists that they need to have Nathan Gombet arrested.

_Nancy expresses her determination to see Gombet punished for his crimes._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_hidden_staircase_se/chapters/xxii-the-next-move
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_hidden_staircase_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_hidden_staircase_se/chapters