# X: Abigail's Disclosure explained — The Secret of the Old Clock

> Chapter companion for The Secret of the Old Clock by Carolyn Keene.

## What happens

Nancy Drew visits Abigail Rowen, who reveals that Josiah Crowley hid a notebook containing the location of his second will. Abigail recalls that the notebook was hidden in a family clock, which likely went to the Tophams. Nancy theorizes the notebook is still inside the clock and must find a way to search the Topham residence. Later, she meets Helen Corning, who is selling charity tickets for a dance. Nancy buys two tickets and then offers to sell the rest, seeing them as a pretext to gain entry to the Topham house.

## Themes in this chapter

### Mystery and Detection

Nancy pieces together clues from Abigail's memory, linking the clock to the missing notebook and will.

### Resourcefulness and Independence

Nancy devises a clever plan to use charity tickets as a pretext to enter the Topham house.

## Character check-ins

### Nancy Drew

Visits Abigail Rowen, learns about the notebook and clock, devises a plan to use charity tickets to enter the Topham residence.

### Abigail Rowen

Discloses that Josiah Crowley hid a notebook about his will in a family clock, but cannot recall where the notebook is now.

### Helen Corning

Meets Nancy on the street, sells her charity tickets, and mentions she is going to Moon Lake.

### Josiah Crowley

Referenced as having made a second will and hidden a notebook in the family clock.

## Key lines

> I'll not tell the Horner girls what I have learned... At least not until I have learned more about the family clock.

Nancy decides to keep her discovery about the clock from the Horner sisters until she has more evidence.

_Nancy's caution and consideration for the Horners' feelings._

> These tickets will serve as my passport to the impregnable Topham fortress!

Nancy sees the charity tickets as a way to gain entry to the Topham house.

_Nancy's clever use of the tickets as a strategic tool._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_secret_of_the_old_clock_se/chapters/x-abigail-s-disclosure
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_secret_of_the_old_clock_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_secret_of_the_old_clock_se/chapters