# XIX: A Risky Undertaking explained — The Secret of the Old Clock

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

## What happens

Nancy spots the three robbers and decides to retrieve the Crowley clock from their van before notifying the marshal. She finds the van locked in a barn behind the inn, locates the keys under the seat, and discovers the clock inside. As she grabs it, the robbers return, forcing her to lock the van and hide.

## Themes in this chapter

### Courage in Adversity

Nancy risks her safety to retrieve the clock despite the imminent return of the robbers.

### Mystery and Detection

Nancy uses deduction to find the van keys and locate the hidden clock.

## Character check-ins

### Nancy Drew

Takes a risky solo mission to recover the Crowley clock from the robbers' van.

### Abigail Rowen

Her description of the clock helps Nancy identify it.

## Key lines

> I’ll never find it.

Nancy despairs that the clock might be buried under the pile of stolen goods.

_Expresses her anxiety about the search._

> I’m lost!

Nancy realizes she is trapped when she hears the robbers returning.

_Highlights the immediate danger she faces._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_secret_of_the_old_clock_se/chapters/xix-a-risky-undertaking
- 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