After drafting the beginning of the document and preparing to add details, Barton discovered that Vernal had not submitted any information.

"Does he think that with his relationship with the foundation, he can apply for funding with just a letter?" Barton said to himself in confusion after searching the table.

In his impression, the archaeologist Vernal was not such an arrogant person. Apart from being a bit impatient, he was a typical Loen gentleman in other aspects.

——Under normal circumstances, if you want to apply for assistance from the "Loen Antiquities Collection and Protection Foundation", in addition to the project description, you must also provide on-site photos, copies of ancient books and other information. Otherwise, the foundation will not be able to review it and make a judgment, let alone spend a lot of gold pounds to send a team to the project site for inspection.

Or was it that Vernal was too careless and forgot to send the information? Of course, given Vernal's relationship with the Foundation, it was entirely possible that after seeing this letter, they would send one or two people to contact and verify it... Well, as a friend, I still have to do something for him... Barton shook his head, without much thought, stood up, and walked to the front of the bookshelf.

He then stretched out his right palm and ran his fingers along the spines of the books to select the reference materials he needed.

Finally, he pulled out several books and journals, combined the above various viewpoints, and gave a detailed description of the historical origins of the mountains under the jurisdiction of Sivella County in the documents he was about to submit:

“In the historical community, there is a widely accepted view:

“For a period of time that was unknown whether it was short or long, the Solomon Empire and the Tudor Dynasty coexisted in the northern continent. Their dividing line was most likely today’s Hornachis Mountains and Feynaport Plateau.

"Among them, the extension of the Honachis Mountains in Sivella County is likely to be the focus of contention between the two sides..."

Barton did not endorse Vernal, but only indirectly indicated by providing references that there might indeed be Quaternary relics in the mountains of Sivella County.

In this way, if it is finally proved that Vernal was lying, no one would hold him accountable, because those statements were made by famous historians, and Patton only made certain excerpts, selective excerpts.

At the end of the document, he listed his references:

"…"A Study of Private Historical Materials of Sivelas County", Azik Eggers, Lecturer in the History Department of Khoi University…"

After completing the document, Patton read it over again and revised some words and sentences.

Then he took the draft into the clerk's room next door and asked them to use a mechanical typewriter to produce a formal text.

——The "Loen Antiquities Collection and Protection Foundation" has always hired a large number of female employees. From ordinary clerks at the bottom to vice presidents at the top, at least half of them are women.

Patton actually had some complaints about this situation, but he couldn't and didn't dare to object, so he could only choose to accept it.

Of course, he had to admit that it was a nice thing to watch those young female clerks busying around while he had to wait.

At least the colors here are richer… Patton muttered silently as he listened to the clacking sound.

After finishing the documents, signing and submitting them, he continued to work in an orderly manner as usual.

This includes but is not limited to preliminary review of projects, providing professional advice and collecting information, and adding arguments to certain papers of the Foundation.

The day passed quickly, and Patton left the company at six o'clock and took a public carriage, which took more than an hour to return home.

This is the norm in all the major cities in Loen, which is why afternoon tea is so popular. After lunch at 12 noon to 1 pm, people will not be able to return home until 7:30 to 8 pm. During this long period of time, if there is no afternoon tea to fill the time, most people will definitely be extremely hungry.

Of course, this only applies to the middle class and above. Many poor people may only eat two meals a day. Moreover, if conditions permit, both husband and wife must work, and after returning home at seven or eight o'clock, they have to be busy preparing dinner instead of enjoying it themselves.

"Vernal visited you this afternoon," Patton's wife said casually as she took off his coat and hat.

"Vernal?" Barton was stunned for a moment.

The archaeologist who discovered the Quaternary ruins in Sivella County returned to East Chester County?

As soon as the voice fell, Barton frowned and said silently to himself:

"He did forget to send the materials, so he came back in person?

"No, there's no need to go to all that trouble, the Royal Post is quite reliable.

"Besides, he should know that on non-weekends, I will definitely be at the Foundation. Um, I may also be sent to some sites for inspections..."

Thinking of this, Barton asked:

"Where is he?"

"He only waited in your study for a quarter of an hour and then left." Patton's wife said truthfully.

Patton asked:

"Did he say which hotel he was staying in? When would he come again?"

The archaeologist was from East Chester County, but not from Stoone, the capital, and had no residence there.

"He didn't say it. He looked very hurried." Patton's wife paused and said, "very impatient."

Barton touched his receding hairline and nodded gently:

"I'll go to the study first."

His study is located on the second floor and is furnished with several bookshelves and some porcelain - he has a not-too-fanatic love for porcelain and will actively collect unique items.

After searching for a while, Barton found no notes or letters left by Vernal.

He quickly decided to put the matter behind him.

This has always been his principle - try not to worry about work when he gets home.

After dinner and spending some quality time with his wife and children, Patton washed up, went to bed and fell asleep first.

In the dead of night, he suddenly woke up and opened his eyes.

Ever since he encountered danger during an archaeological activity ten years ago, Barton has had some extraordinary inspiration and can always detect some movements that other people cannot. For example, others may not realize that a visitor is looking for them until he arrives at the door, but Barton can sense whether the other party is related to him when the visitor just appears in the corridor.

Someone sneaked in... Barton sat up suddenly and opened his eyes wide.

He glanced at his wife who was sleeping soundly beside him, but without waking her up, he quietly got out of bed and took down the double-barreled shotgun hanging on the wall.

With the gun in hand, he gently opened the door and looked out into the hallway.

This place is shrouded in the thick night, and a hint of crimson illuminates the general outlines of things.

Patton did not hesitate, but walked into the corridor actively and patrolled back and forth.

However, he did not notice the thief who sneaked in.

Was my feeling wrong? Patton turned around unsurely.

There was no sign that any room on the second floor had been opened.

After thinking for a while, Barton came to the door of the study, grasped the handle, and turned it gently.

The door opened silently, and everything inside was immersed in darkness, like all kinds of monsters.

Drawing aside the curtains, Barton carefully examined the room in the moonlight, confirming that the furnishings here were exactly the same as he remembered.

"I'm really too sensitive... Is this the aftermath of yesterday's nightmare?" Barton exhaled and quickly left the study.

Behind him, the drawn curtains swayed gently, as if there was wind blowing.

The next day, Patton continued his somewhat repetitive life:

Kiss wife and children, ride in a cab, read newspapers, make tea, read letters...

"Hey, there's another letter from Vernal." Barton felt relieved and opened the letter.

However, there was nothing in the letter, as if the sender had forgotten to put the letter into the envelope.

"Has Vernal suffered from amnesia recently?" Barton glanced at the envelope in his hand and suddenly found that the pattern on it was a bit strange.

This is a commemorative envelope.

As far as Barton knew, in Backlund and Stoen City, many high-end hotels would provide specially made envelopes and stationery to their guests, which was equivalent to a travel souvenir.

"Which hotel is this from?" Barton put the envelope to his nose, ready to smell the fragrance on it, which was also unique and recognizable.

The next second, he smelled a faint smell of blood.