The Secret of the Old Clock

The following morning, Nancy goes for a walk in the park to clear her head. She notices the Topham sisters sitting on a bench and discussing Josiah Crowley’s will. They’re convinced that Josiah hid one even though their mother watched him like a hawk. Nancy thinks, “There’s no doubt in my mind now that if there is a later will, the Tophams haven’t destroyed it. How thrilling! But where can it be?” (60).

Nancy decides to question a few of the other beneficiaries of Crowley’s secret will. The Turner sisters point her to their former suitors, Fred and William Mathews. The brothers own a farm nearby. They confirm that the old man intended to provide for them in his will but know nothing more about the matter.

Nancy then turns to an elderly woman named Abby Rowen. When she arrives at the Rowen house, Nancy finds that the old woman has taken a bad fall and sprained her ankle. She’s poor and in need of help. After bandaging Abby’s ankle and preparing her lunch, Nancy questions Abby about the missing will, and Abby insists that she saw it in Josiah’s hand. Although she never read the contents, Abby knows that it was signed and witnessed.