# Notifying the Police explained — The Secret of the Old Clock

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

## What happens

Nancy Drew races to Melbourne to report the Topham bungalow robbery to the marshal. With Jeff Tucker's corroboration, she leads the police in pursuit, but at a fork in the road she splits off toward Garwin. After losing the trail, she backtracks to a disreputable roadhouse called The Black Horse, where she peers through a window and spots the three robbers inside.

## Themes in this chapter

### Courage in Adversity

Nancy drives recklessly to report the crime, splits from the police to pursue her own lead, and bravely approaches a disreputable roadhouse alone.

### Mystery and Detection

Nancy uses tire tracks and farmer testimony to track the robbers, demonstrating keen detective skills.

## Character check-ins

### Nancy Drew

Drives at high speed to Melbourne, reports the robbery, leads the police chase, and independently investigates a roadhouse where she discovers the robbers.

### Jeff Tucker

Accompanies Nancy, corroborates her story to the marshal, and is left behind when the police car departs.

### Richard Topham

Referenced as the owner of the bungalow that was robbed.

## Key lines

> Dis ole bus can suah step,” observed Jeff. “ ’Spose it turns turtle?” “Don’t worry, Jeff. It won’t. I know this roadster.”

Jeff comments on the car's speed and worries it might flip, but Nancy reassures him she knows the vehicle's limits.

_Highlights Nancy's confidence in her driving and the urgency of the chase._

> She speaks de troof,” testified Jeff, “ ’cept she don’t make it strong enough. First thing dey kidnaps me so I won’t be around to raise no ruckus. Den dey gives me some kind of a sleepin’ powdah and pahks me in a ho‑tel. But I comes to and goes back, and dar I find dis gu’l cooped up in a closet just as she told you. And dey wrecked Mis’ Topham’s house and stole all de furniture.”

Jeff confirms Nancy's account, adding that he was kidnapped and drugged, then returned to find Nancy locked in a closet and the house ransacked.

_Jeff's testimony corroborates the robbery and adds details about his own ordeal._

> I don’t like to go in there, but there’s no other way,” she decided. She walked briskly up the path, glancing about in all directions for a sign of a moving van.

Nancy reluctantly approaches the roadhouse, scanning for the stolen van.

_Shows Nancy's determination despite her unease about the dangerous location._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_secret_of_the_old_clock_se/chapters/xviii-notifying-the-police
- 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