An inspiration suddenly came to his mind. He remembered the last words which Master Zacharius had spoken. The old man only lived now in the old iron clock that had not been returned! Master Zacharius must have gone in search of it.
Aubert spoke of this to Gerande.
“Let us look at my father’s book,” she replied.
They descended to the shop. The book was open on the bench. All the watches or clocks made by the old man, and which had been returned to him because they were out of order, were stricken out excepting one:—
“Sold to M. Pittonaccio, an iron clock, with bell and moving figures; sent to his château at Andernatt.”
It was this “moral” clock of which Scholastique had spoken with so much enthusiasm.
“My father is there!” cried Gerande.
“Let us hasten thither,” replied Aubert. “We may still save him!”
“Not for this life,” murmured Gerande, “but at least for the other.”
“By the mercy of God, Gerande! The château of Andernatt stands in the gorge of the ‘Dents-du-Midi’ twenty hours from Geneva. Let us go!”