The Lost Will explained

What happens

Themes in this chapter

• Social Class and Snobbery

  The Tophams are portrayed as snobbish and arrogant, and their treatment of Josiah Crowley highlights class-based exploitation.

• Justice and Fairness

  Nancy questions the fairness of the will, as the deserving relatives are left in poverty while the undeserving Tophams inherit.

• Mystery and Detection

  The possibility of a missing second will and Crowley's dying words create a mystery that Nancy is determined to solve.

• Greed vs. Generosity

  The Tophams' greed contrasts with Crowley's intended generosity toward his kinder relatives.

Characters to notice

• Nancy Drew

  Nancy is a curious and determined sixteen-year-old who questions the fairness of the Tophams inheriting Crowley's fortune and suspects a missing will.

• Carson Drew

  Carson Drew is a noted lawyer and Nancy's father, who discusses the Crowley case with her and agrees to invite Mr. Rolsted to lunch to learn more.

• Josiah Crowley

  Josiah Crowley is the deceased whose will left everything to the Tophams; he attempted to say something to the doctor before dying, hinting at a possible second will.

• Richard Topham

  Richard Topham is described as shrewd and dishonest, likely to destroy any second will that might surface.

• Ada Topham

  Ada Topham is one of the snobbish Topham daughters who stands to inherit Crowley's fortune.

• Isabel Topham

  Isabel Topham is the other Topham daughter, also snobbish and set to inherit.

• Mr. Rolsted

  Mr. Rolsted is an attorney specializing in wills; he was seen with Crowley at the bank discussing a will a year ago.

• Grace Horner

  Grace Horner is one of the poor relatives who were pets of Crowley and might deserve a portion of the fortune.

Key passages

• “It would be a shame if all that money went to the Tophams! They will fly higher than ever!”

  Nancy expresses concern that the Tophams will become even more arrogant if they inherit Crowley's fortune.

  Nancy's opening remark sets the tone for her opposition to the Tophams.

• “But isn't it possible that he did make such a will and that he was trying to tell what he had done with it?”

  Nancy suggests that Crowley may have created a second will and was trying to reveal its location before dying.

  This introduces the central mystery of the missing will.

• “It's my private opinion that they will take care that a second will is never found.”

  Carson Drew suspects the Tophams would destroy any second will to protect their inheritance.

  Highlights the Tophams' potential dishonesty.

• “You're a regular lawyer, the way you cross-examine me.”

  Carson Drew jokes that Nancy's questioning is as thorough as a lawyer's.

  Shows Nancy's investigative nature and her father's pride.