The talent committee took just over two hours to complete the assessment of Whitney's first-phase results, promptly approving the second grant of 3,000 francs.
At the same time, Whitney's research location was moved to a national laboratory under the French Academy of Sciences.
Hmm, there's more security personnel here. Whitney even saw guards wearing the insignia of the French Royal Family.
The next evening, Whitney and his assistants held a simple celebration banquet, returning somewhat tipsy to his villa at the Great Scholar Palace.
As he entered, the maid, Rene, approached him, gesturing toward the drawing room and said, "Sir, Mr. Pere has brought these two gentlemen to visit you. I let them wait inside."
As Whitney handed his hat and coat to Rene, Pere and two men, one tall and one short, stood up from the sofa and bowed slightly to him.
Ten minutes later, Whitney looked at the two unfamiliar men, and in a moment of joyful surprise, forgot what he intended to say.
