The Talent Committee took just over two hours to complete the acceptance of Whitney's first-stage results, cheerfully approving a second grant of 3,000 francs.
At the same time, Whitney's research site was relocated to the National Laboratory under the French Academy of Sciences.
Indeed, there were far more security personnel here. Whitney even saw guards wearing the badge of the French Royal Family.
The following twilight, Whitney and his assistants held a modest celebration banquet, returning to his villa in the Great Scholar Palace slightly tipsy.
As soon as he entered, the maid, Rene, came up to him, gesturing toward the drawing room: "Sir, Mr. Pere has brought two gentlemen to see you. I let them in to wait."
Once Whitney handed his hat and coat to Rene, Pere and two men—one tall and one short—rose from the sofa and nodded in greeting.
Ten minutes later, Whitney looked at the two strangers, so overcome with surprise and delight that he briefly forgot what to say.
