Stuck in Vahlok's Tomb

[donaldp1]

I'm in here with Tharstan and we have been through the galleries reachable by us, three full times but cannot seem to find the second "rooster claw", to open the caged pedestal above the water. i have also covered every inch of territory under the water but cannot find any way to ascend to the gallery on the far side. Actually there are two which are beyond reach.
I assume the second "claw" is needed to open the cage which will present some sort of solution, but, as stated I simply cannot find the second "claw."
Can someone give a hint without actually giving away the store? Or, if not, go ahead and give away the store ;) Thanks!

[cfs111]

Do you have the amethyst claw? If so listen to Tharstan as he deciphers the inscriptions on the wall.

Or
http://www.uesp.net/wiki/Dragonborn:Lost_Legacy

[donaldp1]

Thanks, but I no longer have the amethyst Claw, having used it in one of the keyholes. It was not given back!

[cfs111]

Do you have any other claw in your inventory? Try it. Or, open the console, click on the door and type in unlock

[veiledstar]

You need to go to the south and north tunnel from the main entrance area to get both sides of the amethyst claw. How many puzzles have you solved?

[donaldp1]

I have been through the north and south tunnels, back and forth, three times already.
I have no other claws in my inventory. I have slain and looted all attackers and solved the puzzles presented. I have searched every draughr several times and find no 2nd part of the claw. I wonder if I might just have to start the search from the beginning again, from an earlier save.

[Solomon Hawk]

The claws aren't hard to find. If by chance you used any shouts in one of the rooms where they are found, it may have been blown somewhere nearly out of sight. (It's happened to me before).
If you just cannot find it at all (even after going back through the two different chambers), the best thing to do is reload a previous save before entering Vahlok's Tomb.

[donaldp1]

Yeah, I just started backtacking and when I got to the chamber with the three pillars and weapons, I finally saw that just activating them was not sufficient, the colors had to change and activate too. Went back and found everything. Now am in the final chamber and, well, its not at all easy. But I'll find some way to kill Vahlok and his sprite.

Thanks everyone for your help and suggestions