Napoleon II moved toward the large chalkboard mounted against the brick wall. It was covered with previous calculations. compression ratios, torque curves, and fuel mixture notes written in Nicéphore's hand.
He paused.
"May I?" he asked, gesturing toward the board.
Nicéphore stepped forward at once. "Of course, Your Imperial Majesty."
Claude reached for a cloth and wiped the board clean in broad strokes. Chalk dust fell to the floor in pale streaks. Within seconds, the surface was empty.
Napoleon II took a piece of chalk and drew a rectangle first.
"This," he said, sketching quickly, "is a conventional inline gasoline engine, similar to the one mounted in the automobile."
He outlined six cylinders in a row. Above them, he marked intake and exhaust valves. Below, he drew the crankshaft and connecting rods.
