The Mystery at Lilac Inn · Chapter
Sinking explained
After a collision with a yacht, the motorboat begins to sink.
What happens
After a collision with a yacht, the motorboat begins to sink. Bud and Mary Mason abandon Nancy Drew, bound and gagged, in the cabin. Nancy manages to scream for help and is rescued just in time. The Masons are apprehended, and Nancy tries to save the Crandall jewels from the sinking boat. Tom Tozzle is thrown overboard but rescued, though he attempts to flee.
Themes in this chapter
Crime and Punishment
The Masons and Tom Tozzle face the consequences of their theft and attempted murder as they are apprehended and the jewels are at risk.
Risk and Bravery
Nancy remains calm and resourceful despite being bound in a sinking boat, and later attempts to save the jewels and stop Tom Tozzle's escape.
Characters to notice
- Nancy Drew
Bound and left to drown in the sinking motorboat, she screams for help and is rescued. She then tries to save the Crandall jewels and alerts the crowd to Tom Tozzle's escape.
- Mary Mason
She and Bud abandon Nancy in the cabin, refusing to cut her loose. They are apprehended on the dock.
- Bud Mason
He hesitates to rescue Tom Tozzle and later drags Mary out of the cabin, leaving Nancy behind. He is caught on the dock.
- Tom Tozzle
Thrown overboard during the collision, he is rescued but immediately tries to flee from the dock.
Key passages
““Don’t let these two persons get away until we find out what’s up!””
A voice from the dock orders that the Masons be detained.
The crowd prevents the Masons from escaping after the collision.
““The door isn’t locked and the boat’s touching the dock. Why don’t you step out?””
A rescuer finds the cabin door unlocked and asks why Nancy doesn't leave.
Nancy explains she is tied up, leading to her release.
““Don’t let that motorboat sink! There’s a valuable cargo aboard. Can’t you use grappling hooks and save it?””
Nancy urges the yacht crew to salvage the sinking boat for the jewels.
She tries to save Emily Crandall's inheritance.