The Bemidji daily pioneer. [volume] (Bemidji, Minn.) 1904-1971, 1922-08-31

in the opening, and surprise gripped
him. He was held motionless, gazing
with astonished wonder at the sight
confronting him.
Directly before him was small
roadster, one which he remembered to
have seen joachim Fell using; in this
car, doubtless, Ben Chacherre had
driven from the city. He recalled the
fact later, with poignant regret for a
lost opportunity. But, at the present
moment, he was lost in amazement at
the great number of other cars pre-
senting themselves to his view. a
They were lined up. as deep as the
barn would hold them, crammed into
every available foot Of space; we'll
over a dozen cars, he reckoned swiftly.
What was more, all were cars OF the
highest class, with! the exception OF
Felrs roadster. Directly before him
were two which he was well aware
must have cost close upon ten thou
sand each. What did this mean? Ger
tainly no one man or one group of men,
in this back country spot, could expect
to use such an accumulation of ex-
pensIve cars! - - e
Gramont glanced around, but found
no trace of machinery in the barn.
Remembering the motor that he had
heard, he turned from the doorway
in frowning perplexity. He strobe on
toward the long shed which stood
closer to the house. At the end OF
this shed was door. and when he
tried it, Gramont found it unlocked. 1t
swung open to his hand, and he
stepped inside.
At first he paused, confused by the
vague objects around. for it was quite
dark in here. A moment, and his eyes
grew accustomed to the gloOmier light
Ing. Details came to him: all around
were cars and fragments Of cars,
chassis and bodies in all stages Of
ACKNOWLEDGMENT. Still more cars!
He slowly advanced to long bench
that ran the length Of the shop be-
meath the windows A shop. indeed
shop. he quickly perceived, fitted
with every tool and machine necessary
to the most complete automobile re-
pair establishment! Even an air
brush outfit, at one end, together with
a drying compartment, spoke Of re-
paint jobs.
Comprehension was slowly dawning
upon the mind of Gramont; moment
later it became certainty, when he
came to a stop before an automobile
engine lying on the bench. He found
it to be the engine from a Stutz-the
latest multi-valve type adopted by that
make of car, and this particular bit Of
machinery looked like new.
Gramont inspected it, and he saw
that the men had done their work
we'll. The original engine number had
been carefully dug out, and the place
as carefully filed and leveled with
metal. Beside it a new number had
been stamped. A glance at the cleo
trical equipment around showed that
these workers had every appliance
with which to turn out the most fin
lSned JOBS. ..~
AS he Strengthened up from the en-
CINE Gramont's eyes fell upon typed
sheet of paper affixed to the wall
above the bench. His gaze widened
as he inspected it by the failing light.
Upon that paper was list. of cars.
After each car was series of num-
bers plainly comprising the original
numbers of the engine, body, radiator
and other component parts, followed
by another series of new numbers to
be inserted. That sheet Of paper
showed brains, organizing ability, care
and attention to the last detail!
Here was the most carefully
planned and thorough system Of auto
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