# Nancy Leads the Way explained — The Hidden Staircase

> Chapter companion for The Hidden Staircase by Carolyn Keene.

## What happens

Nancy leads the sheriff and his deputies through a secret passage from the Turnbull mansion to Nathan Gombet's house, where they capture the old colored woman who had been holding them at bay. After questioning her, they learn that Nathan Gombet is upstairs with a prisoner. Nancy and the sheriff rush upstairs to confront Gombet, who is threatening her father, Carson Drew, into signing a paper. The sheriff arrests Gombet, saving Mr. Drew.

## Themes in this chapter

### Courage and Resourcefulness

Nancy demonstrates courage by leading the sheriff through the secret passage and confronting Nathan Gombet to rescue her father.

### Justice and Morality

The sheriff arrests Nathan Gombet and the old colored woman for their crimes, upholding justice.

### Deception and Hidden Truths

The secret passage and the old colored woman's false innocence highlight hidden truths and deception.

## Character check-ins

### Nancy Drew

Leads the sheriff through the secret passage, captures the old colored woman, and rescues her father from Nathan Gombet.

### Nathan Gombet

Held Carson Drew prisoner and threatened him; captured by the sheriff.

### Carson Drew

Bound to a chair and threatened by Nathan Gombet; rescued by Nancy and the sheriff.

### Floretta Turnbull

Mentioned as waiting in the roadster with Rosemary during the action.

### Rosemary Turnbull

Mentioned as waiting in the roadster with Floretta during the action.

## Key lines

> We must capture Nathan Gombet before he escapes. If he's upstairs he may have heard us and try to get away through the secret passage!

Nancy urges the sheriff to act quickly to catch Nathan Gombet before he can flee via the secret passage.

_Nancy's strategic thinking to prevent Gombet's escape._

> I give you just one minute, Carson Drew! If you don't sign that paper before then I'll—

Nathan Gombet threatens Carson Drew with harm if he does not sign a document.

_Gombet's coercion of Mr. Drew._

> I know of a secret passage which leads from the Turnbull mansion to an upstairs room of this house.

Nancy reveals her knowledge of a hidden tunnel connecting the two buildings.

_Nancy's resourcefulness in using the secret passage._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_hidden_staircase_se/chapters/xxiv-nancy-leads-the-way
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_hidden_staircase_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_hidden_staircase_se/chapters