The stone stairs went up and up in circles. Polly flew next to Václav as he climbed slowly. The air smelled like old machine oil and wood dust.
"Watch your head," he said, breathing hard. "These old passages are very narrow."
They reached the main clock chamber. Huge bronze gears hung everywhere like giant wheels. Everything was completely still and silent.
"Beautiful, isn't she?" Václav touched a massive cogwheel. "Masters built each piece by hand long ago."
Polly sat on a beam and looked around carefully. She noticed a small door behind the main wheel. "What's behind there?"
Václav's face changed. "That door has been locked since 1945."
"Has been?" Polly saw the door was slightly open. The old lock hung loose.
Václav walked over slowly and pulled the door open. Musty air came out, smelling like old lavender and burnt paper.
Inside was a hidden workshop that time had forgotten. Tools covered the walls, and a wooden box sat on the dusty table. But the most amazing thing was the wall full of star charts and calculations. Today's date was circled in red ink.
"Impossible," Václav whispered. "This is my grandfather's writing, but he died in 1944."
Polly hopped closer to the box. Through the glass top, she could see strange brass pieces covered in star symbols.
"Did your grandfather ever say the clock was special?" Polly asked.
Václav sat down heavily. "There were old family stories. They said the clock could show hidden truths during certain times when the stars aligned right." He laughed nervously. "I thought it was just fantasy."
Sunlight suddenly came through a crack in the wall. The brass pieces began to vibrate and make soft chiming sounds.
"Maybe your grandfather knew something would happen today," Polly said excitedly.
Václav stood up with new determination. "Then we must figure out what he wanted to tell us. The city wants to change the clock tomorrow."
"We need to work fast," Polly agreed. Outside, workers were already bringing equipment. Time was running out.
