# Sinking explained — The Mystery at Lilac Inn

> Chapter companion for The Mystery at Lilac Inn by Carolyn Keene.

## 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.

## Character check-ins

### 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 lines

> “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._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_mystery_at_lilac_inn_se/chapters/xxii-sinking
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_mystery_at_lilac_inn_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_mystery_at_lilac_inn_se/chapters