# The Water-Bottle explained — The Eight Strokes of the Clock

> Chapter companion for The Eight Strokes of the Clock by Maurice Leblanc.

## What happens

Four days after settling in Paris, Hortense meets Prince Rénine in the Bois. He reveals he has dueled Rossigny, who was wounded. They encounter a distraught young man, Gaston Dutreuil, who has just learned that his childhood friend Jacques Aubrieux will be executed the next morning. Rénine and Hortense accompany Dutreuil to the home of Madeleine Aubrieux, Jacques' wife, where Rénine questions her about the case. Jacques was convicted of murdering his cousin and stealing sixty thousand-franc notes, despite his claims of innocence. Rénine, moved by Madeleine's conviction, decides to investigate and calls the police, suggesting he can find the stolen notes.

## Themes in this chapter

### Justice and Morality

The central conflict revolves around the potential execution of an innocent man, questioning the justice system's infallibility.

### Crime and Punishment

The chapter details the murder, theft, and the legal proceedings leading to a death sentence.

### Adventure and Mystery

Rénine takes on the case as a new adventure, seeking to uncover the truth behind the crime.

## Character check-ins

### Hortense Daniel

Meets Rénine in the Bois; accompanies him to the Aubrieux home and comforts Madeleine.

### Prince Rénine

Duels Rossigny; takes charge of the Aubrieux case, questioning Madeleine and calling the police.

### Rossigny

Sent a challenge to Rénine and was wounded in a duel.

### Dutreuil

Childhood friend of Jacques Aubrieux; brings Rénine and Hortense to the Aubrieux home.

### Madeleine Aubrieux

Jacques' wife, devastated by the news of his impending execution; insists on his innocence.

### Jacques Aubrieux

Condemned for murder; his wife and friend believe he is innocent.

## Key lines

> The finest adventure is that which we do not foresee. It comes unexpectedly, unannounced; and no one, save the initiated, realizes that an opportunity to act and to expend one's energies is close at hand.

The best adventures are the ones that surprise us, and only those who are alert can seize the moment to act.

_Rénine explains his philosophy of adventure to Hortense._

> He is innocent, sir. I swear it. I've been Jacques' friend for twenty years … He is innocent … and it would be monstrous.

Dutreuil insists that Jacques is innocent and that executing him would be a terrible injustice.

_Gaston Dutreuil's emotional plea to Rénine._

> I give you my word of honour that, if anyone in this world can be of use to you, it is myself.

Rénine promises Madeleine that he is the one person who can help her.

_Rénine's confident assurance to Madeleine Aubrieux._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_eight_strokes_of_the_clock_se/chapters/ii-the-water-bottle
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_eight_strokes_of_the_clock_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_eight_strokes_of_the_clock_se/chapters