She was, however, placed in confinement for a time.

The count and countess were at once removed to the fortress.

Orders were given that the town should be searched thoroughly, and any person answering to the description which the governor was able to give of the supposed clockmaker should be arrested, while parties of horse were despatched along all the roads with orders to arrest and bring to Prague any craftsman or other person accompanied by a young boy whom they might overtake by the way.

Several innocent peasants with their sons were pounced upon on the roads and hauled to Prague; but no news was obtained of the real fugitives, who quietly pursued their way undisturbed further by the active search which was being made for them.

The anger of the emperor when he heard of the escape of the prize he had destined for one of his favourite officers was extreme.