i had no trouble with the solar return machine. have removed the cover from chest--looked at Cesar's portrait. have tried to use the scalpel on the metal rod as per the 2 walkthrus but can't get it to work.

Hi sadirose,

Has Madeleine observed that it is blocked? Have you found the hotspot where you should use the scalpel? Make sure you're in close-up view of the lock using the magnifying lens.

Thanks so much,Rushes! The problem was that I was not in enough close-up view. That did the trick!

Great.

Thanks for the help & the 2 excellent walkthroughs! Have finished with a score of 351. this is one of the best i have ever played.

Glad you enjoyed it!

Help again! I can't seem to find the mortar and pestle to make some hypnotic powder. I used it to make the cream that was needed earlier. I checked my inventory, but it's not there and it's not in the kitchen where it was before.

The mortar and pestle should be at the worktable in Nostradamus' office. I don't think it was ever in the kitchen.

Yes, I found that out after reading the walkthrough. I just assumed it was in the kitchen. But I have a problem with Jean Aime and the key. When asked a question(and it's in Madeleine's dress) and Jean Aime turns his back, I get the clay but can't put it on the key while he's talking and when he finishes, he's turning back to me. How do I do the key impression?

Are you getting an active cursor on the key? The problem might be with how quickly you are able to take the clay from your inventory and click it on the key before he turns around again.

I had an awful time with that. Each time he turned around it took forever to get control so I could make an attempt. After several frustrating attempts I looked close in my inventory and the impression was there. It seems the game gave no notice that I got the impression when it happened. I'm guessing all of the failed attempts were because I actually had it without knowing.

Aha, thanks oldmariner, that could be it.

Keep us posted, maxcat.

I'm not getting an active cursor on the key. It seems I can't when Jean Aime is speaking. Is there a saved game for this portion? Thanks

Did you check your inventory just in case the impression has already been made?

There are plenty of saved games HERE for you to take your pick from. #19 looks to be the one you need.

Just checked inventory and the only key I have is Philabert's. No impression, so I guess I go for #19

Hope that gets you moving forward again.

Rushes, I can't seem to get # 19 going. I saved it to my documents, but it's a compressed file that windows won't let me open. Help?

Try right-clicking on the file and then selecting Extract. That should open it for you. If that doesn't work, let me know and I'll download it, unzip it and e-mail it across to you.

Oops, I was looking at the wrong item on the table and found the key after I wrote the last note. Sorry about that. It may have not worked anyway because my security settings are high today. Anyway, I'm trying to make an incense powder for plague. I have all the ingredients and all but the ambergris is in the cooking pot. I can't get the ambergris into the pot as a voice says it's too precious and should be used sparingly, something like that. Do I need to put the ambergris down and pipette some out?

Be sure that you read the recipe for this incense.
also add all the reagents first and be sure that they are correct before you drop the ambergris in the cooking pot.

No - I didn't put it down - from inventory to pot.

I am making eucalyptus tea foe Madeleine and when I click on her, I'm not getting a clockwork sign that means to add the tea to Madeleine. How does this work?

Hi maxcat,

Once you have the tea in your inventory, pick it up and click it on the image of Madeleine there at top right. That should do the trick.

I did do that and went to Madeleine's room to sleep but nothing happens. She doesn't go to sleep.

Did you speak to Nostradamus after solving the puzzle and did he mention the tea?
Check that you made the tea correctly and that it is labelled as Eucalyptus tea in your inventory.
Maybe go back to a saved game before you made the tea and replay this part.

yes, I did speak to Nostradamus after solving the solar system puzzle and he mentioned the tea. I had no water on hand and went to the well and got two phials of water. I put the water in the cooking pot on the stove and added a spoonful of eucalyptus leaves. In inventory, I clicked the tea on Madeleine but there was no clock work symbol. and the tea was labeled "eucalyptus tea".