Chapter 7 — the news from Geneva; the figure on the mountain

Henry has been planning to take Victor on a walking tour of Switzerland to complete his recovery. A letter from Victor's father arrives just before they leave. William, the youngest brother, has been murdered — found strangled in a wood near the family estate at Plainpalais, with a small locket of Caroline's missing from around his neck. The household is in shock. The murderer is unknown. Victor, reading the letter, knows immediately what has happened.

He sets out for Geneva at once. The journey is by carriage, by boat, by foot — many days. On the last evening, as he is approaching the city walls, a thunderstorm breaks over the lake. He climbs a slope above the road to watch it. In a flash of lightning that illuminates the entire mountain, he sees, on a higher slope above him, an enormous figure climbing — leaping, almost, from rock to rock with a strength no human possesses. The figure is gone in the next flash. Victor knows him at once.

He understands. The Creature has come to Geneva looking for him, has encountered William in the woods, and has killed him. Victor should go down to the city and tell what he knows. He should explain to his father, to the magistrates, to Elizabeth, what kind of being is responsible for William's death. He cannot make himself do it. The truth would expose his secret; the truth would not be believed; the truth would, if believed, ruin him. He goes down into Geneva determined to remain silent. The next chapter is what his silence costs.