# XX: What Nancy Found explained — The Secret of the Old Clock

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

## What happens

Nancy Drew hides in a manger as three robbers return to the barn, narrowly escaping detection. After they leave, she retrieves the Crowley clock and flees to her roadster. Driven by curiosity, she examines the clock and discovers a tiny blue notebook hidden behind its face, confirming her hopes.

## Themes in this chapter

### Mystery and Detection

Nancy's investigation leads her to the hidden notebook inside the clock.

### Courage in Adversity

Nancy hides from robbers and risks discovery to retrieve the clock.

### Resourcefulness and Independence

Nancy uses a small tool to pry off the clock face and find the notebook.

## Character check-ins

### Nancy Drew

Hides from robbers, retrieves the clock, and discovers the notebook.

### Abigail Rowen

Her story about the clock is referenced by Nancy.

### Josiah Crowley

His notebook is the object Nancy seeks inside the clock.

### Ada Topham

Mentioned in Nancy's recollection of overheard conversation.

### Isabel Topham

Mentioned in Nancy's recollection of overheard conversation.

## Key lines

> I’ll go for the police as fast as I can and send them after the robbers,” she decided. “The Tophams don’t deserve any consideration, but I couldn’t be mean enough to sit quietly by and let them lose their household goods.

Nancy resolves to alert the authorities about the thieves, despite her dislike for the Tophams, because she cannot stand by while their property is stolen.

_Shows Nancy's sense of justice overriding personal feelings._

> Eureka!” There, at one side of the clock, attached to a hook in the top, dangled a tiny blue notebook!

Nancy exclaims in triumph when she finds the small blue notebook hanging inside the clock.

_Climactic discovery moment in the chapter._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_secret_of_the_old_clock_se/chapters/xx-what-nancy-found
- 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