The Secret of the Old Clock · Chapter
XXII: What the Notebook Revealed explained
Nancy returns home with the Crowley clock and discovers a hidden notebook inside it.
What happens
Nancy returns home with the Crowley clock and discovers a hidden notebook inside it. The notebook reveals that Josiah Crowley's last will is in a safety deposit box under the name Josiah Harkston at the Masonville National Bank. Nancy shares her findings with her father, Carson Drew, who agrees to help secure a court order to open the box. They discuss the implications for the Horner sisters and Abigail Rowen, and the potential downfall of the Tophams.
Themes in this chapter
Justice and Fairness
Nancy hopes the deserving relatives will inherit and the Tophams will be cut off, reflecting a desire for fair outcomes.
Mystery and Detection
Nancy's discovery of the notebook and its hidden clue about the will drives the detective plot.
Family and Loyalty
Carson Drew supports Nancy's efforts and agrees to help the Horner sisters, showing family loyalty.
Characters to notice
- Nancy Drew
Returns home with the Crowley clock, discovers the notebook, and plans to retrieve the will.
- Carson Drew
Praises Nancy's detective work, agrees to act as counsel for the Horner girls, and arranges a court order.
- Grace Horner
Mentioned as a deserving relative who may benefit from the will.
- Allie Horner
Mentioned as a deserving relative who may benefit from the will.
- Abigail Rowen
Mentioned as needing medical attention, hoped to benefit from the will.
- Richard Topham
Rumored to be losing heavily in the stock market and depending on the inheritance.
Key passages
““I’m sure everything is going to turn out just as I hoped!” Nancy cried enthusiastically. “The deserving relatives will get the money and the Tophams will be left out in the cold! Abigail Rowen will be able to have the medical attention she needs, and Allie and Grace will be fixed for life!””
Nancy expresses confidence that the rightful heirs will inherit, the Tophams will be excluded, and Abigail Rowen and the Horner sisters will be taken care of.
Nancy's hopeful vision of justice.
““No wonder the will never came to light,” Nancy mused. “Who would have ever thought of looking for it in a safety deposit box under the name of Josiah Harkston? In his zest for safety, Josiah Crowley nearly defeated his own purpose.””
Nancy realizes that the will was hidden so securely under a false name that it was almost impossible to find.
Nancy's insight into Crowley's secrecy.
““Well, there’s a rumor going the rounds to the effect that Richard Topham has been losing heavily in the stock market this last month. He has been getting credit at a number of the banks on the strength of the inheritance, and I suspect he is depending on Crowley’s money to pull him through a tight place.””
Carson Drew shares a rumor that Richard Topham has suffered stock market losses and is relying on the inheritance to cover his debts.
The Tophams' financial vulnerability.