The Hidden Staircase, Chapter XVI. A New Clue quiz

Questions and answers

1. 1

   Question 1. Where does Nathan Gombet live, according to Rosemary?

   • In a farmhouse by the new railroad bridge
   • In rooms above a drug store in Cliffwood
   • In a cabin on the River Road near the Horner farm
   • Correct answer: In the old stone house directly behind The Mansion

   Rosemary is surprised Nancy does not know: he lives in the old stone house directly back of theirs.

   Read the passage
2. 2

   Question 2. Who first built the house Gombet lives in now?

   • Correct answer: One of two Turnbull brothers
   • A jeweler who once lived in Cliffwood
   • Gombet himself, when he was a young man
   • The railroad company, for its bridge workers

   Floretta says the house was built by a Turnbull, which is why it looks so much like The Mansion.

   Read the passage
3. 3

   Question 3. What happened to the brother who joined the Confederate forces?

   • He moved away to the West and sold his house to Gombet himself
   • Correct answer: He was killed, and his mortgaged house went to pay his debts
   • He made peace with William and lived beside him the rest of his life
   • He came home a hero and gave his house to William's family

   He was killed in action, and everything, his house included, went to pay the debts on it.

   Read the passage
4. 4

   Question 4. Why does Nancy ask whether Gombet keeps canaries?

   • She is afraid of birds and wants to know before she goes there
   • She wants to buy a singing bird to cheer up Floretta while they wait
   • Correct answer: Two canaries had appeared in Floretta's room
   • She has heard that canaries can warn people of danger

   She thinks at once of the two canaries that found their way into The Mansion so mysteriously.

   Read the passage
5. 5

   Question 5. Why does Nancy decide not to call on Gombet openly?

   • She promised her father to stay away from Gombet
   • The sisters have told her to stay away from him
   • She thinks Gombet has already left Cliffwood for good
   • Correct answer: He would suspect her purpose and might hold her prisoner

   She fears that if she openly calls on him, he will suspect her purpose and perhaps hold her a prisoner.

   Read the passage
6. 6

   Question 6. Why can't Nancy simply have Gombet arrested?

   • Gombet has already paid the sisters for The Mansion in full
   • Her father asked her to wait until he came home from Chicago
   • Correct answer: She has no proof, only her suspicion
   • The sheriff is away from Cliffwood for the rest of the month

   The text says she could not cause him to be arrested upon suspicion; she must prove he is guilty.

   Read the passage
7. 7

   Question 7. Why is Nancy pleased when a drizzly rain sets in that evening?

   • The rain will keep the parrots quiet so the sisters can sleep
   • Correct answer: A dark, rainy night will help hide her secret visit
   • She hopes the ghost will not come out in bad weather
   • She likes the sound of rain falling on the old roof

   She is about to slip out on a secret mission, and a dark, wet night will help keep her from being seen.

   Read the passage
8. 8

   Question 8. What does 'incriminate' mean in: 'By skillful questioning I may be able to learn something which will incriminate him.'?

   • Correct answer: Show that someone is guilty of a crime
   • Help someone get away from the law
   • Make someone forget what he has done before
   • Make someone feel sorry for what he did

   Nancy hopes to learn something that will prove Gombet is guilty.

   Read the passage
9. 9

   Question 9. What does 'tranquillity' mean in: 'nothing had happened to disturb the tranquillity of the Turnbull household'?

   • Daily chores and cooking
   • Correct answer: Calm and peace
   • Fine furniture and silver
   • Loud quarrels

   Since the dresses were taken, nothing has broken the quiet of the house.

   Read the passage
10. 10

    Question 10. Which of these events happen in Chapter 16?

    • Rosemary tells Nancy that Gombet lives directly behind The Mansion.

      Happened

    • Nancy receives a letter from her father.

      Didn't happen

    • Floretta says Gombet stuffs his birds when they die.

      Happened

    • Rosemary invites Gombet to lunch at The Mansion.

      Didn't happen

    Read the passage