You have to snoop around the podium a bit and take something before Xavier comes back.

I can't. Nothing happens when i click around the podium. The arrow do change to a knife, but gabriel knight keep standing still.
Regards,
Rasmus Bertelsen

Reloading a previous save and playing up to that bit doesn't fix it ?

Hmm.. may be a bug? I went back and replayed it and I was able to go behind the podium.
I could give you a saved game but gog won't let me upload saved game files. Is there a way to PM you? I don't see a button to do so. This is the weirdest forum setup. :P

Jules, you could post it on SHP and link to the thread here.

SOLVED! I replayed chapter 3 and I could get past this this time. I clicked on the podium more quickly this time, though!
Regards,
Rasmus Bertelsen

Good! I'm glad you got past it, Rasbert. :)
Good idea, Collector. Thanks for the suggestion.

I know this topic is pretty old already, but I'm having a similar problem. The game freezes everytime Xavier exits the room and I attempt to click on the podium. Reloading an old save (from chapter 3, I'd prefer not having to replay the game from chapter 2 or 1) doesn't seem to help.

The chain of events is this:

I place the cuckoo clock behind the plant.
I walk to the lodge foyer. A cut scene is triggered. Gabriel looks at his watch and Xavier exits the room. I attempt to click on the podium. Nothing happens. I try clicking on the exits. Nothing happens. I click on everything multiple times. Gabriel remains still. I can only interact with my inventory and my options menu.

Alternatively, I place the cuckoo clock behind the plant, I walk Gabriel to the lodge "living room". I click on the chair by the fireside. Gabriel sits down, a cut scene is triggered, he glances at his watch, Xavier walks by, and he stands up again. Again, I click on EVERYTHING in sight, but nothing happens. He simply stands there, staring blindly into the middle distance.

This seems like a game breaking bug to me. I've tried to get past this part multiple times but nothing seems to work. I'd be eternally thankful to anyone who could help me through this frustrating part of the game.

Just installed it today, and have the exact same problem as shadomirage described. It came to the point where the Hunting Lodge was the last thing I needed to do for the day, and I was using a walkthrough as I was stuck. Apparently after trying the locked door you're supposed to question Xaver about it, I Wasn't given this option (Gabriel just refuses to talk to Xaver) so I jumped ahead to trying to put the clock in the plant.

However, putting the clock in the plant, then going to talk to Xaver results in the 'freezing' problem. The action dagger appears over the podium, but clicking on it doesn't do anything. Gabriel just stares off into the distance for all eternity.

If anyone could help, maybe with a save file after getting the basement key? It would be much appreciated!! My email is flammula@gmail.com

Having the same issue as grimsqueaker, and nothing seems to be doing the trick. After placing the cuckoo clock and speaking with Xavier, Gabriel will not interact with the podium or exit the room. If anyone has a save file right after taking the basement key, or another way to get around this issue, I would be grateful. cwoett@gmail.com.

Thank you.

I'm having the same issues... the game freezes everytime Xavier exits the room and I attempt to click on the podium and everything. Nothing happens, anyone has bug fixes for the game?
i will be thankful. I would love to finish the game. Thanks, please email me pinkkbunnyy05@aol.com if anyone has the solution.

Thanks again.

I was having the same problem as others, with the game freezing after placing the cuckoo clock. I was exiting the Back Hall into the Main Hall and watching the video with the cuckoo alarm going off and Xavier going back and forth. Then the freeze.

When I clicked on the video to stop it, the game did not freeze, but Xavier stayed at his post and I couldn't get the keys.

However, this worked: After placing the cuckoo clock, exit Back Hall to Main Hall and IMMEDIATELY exit left to Front Hall. Wait for the video - Xavier hears the clock knock and leaves - click on the desk, click on the desk drawer and click on the keys. Voila!