The Oakley herald. [volume] (Oakley, Idaho) 1908-1961, 1922-10-27
XII
The Ganqsters.

left the covert and walked
forward.
He was thinking about that odd
mention of joachim Fell-had Cha
cherre Lied In saying he had come here
on his masters business? Perhaps
The man had come in Feli's car. and
would not hesitate to lie about using
the car. For the moment Gramont
put away the circumstance. but did not
forget II.
He walked openly toward the Gum
berts buildings. thinking that he would
have time for a good look around the
place before dusk fell he would then
get off for Houma and attend TO Ham
mohd's defense.
AS for the place before him. he was
convinced that II was abandoned. Had
any one. other than Chacherre and
his two friends. beer about the buiid-
ings. the late excitement would have
brought out the fact. No one had APP
peared and the buildings seemed va
cant.
Gramont's intent was simple and
straightforward. In case he found. as
it CAltfiCu ~ INV dnl tfblCitt vi IL
legal occupation about the place-as
the sheriff seemed TO nave discovered
to his cosr-he would lay Chacherre
and the other two men by the heels
that night in Houma. He would then
go on 10 New Orleans and have Gum
berts arrested. although he had no ex-
pectation that the master crook could
be held on the murder-accessory
charge. II this place were used for
the lotteries. even, ne was fairly Ger.
tain that Memphis Izzy would have his
own tracks covered. The men higher
up always die.
He walked straight In upon the
barn. Ii doomed before him. closed.
lurid In the level rays of the wesler-
ing sun. The doors In front had been
only loosely swung together and Gra-
mont found them unlocked. He STOOD
In the opening, and surprise grIpped
him. He was held m%otionless. gazing
with astonished wonder at the sight
confronting him.
Directly before him was a small
roadster. one which he remembered to
have see Jachin Fell using; in this
car, doubtless, Ben Chaeherre had
driven from the city. He recalled the
fact later. with poignant regret for q
lost opportunity. But. at the present
mOmen he was lost In amazement at
the great number of other cars pre-
senting themselves to his view.
They were lined up as deep as the
barn would hold them, crammed into
every available foot of space; well
over a dozen cars. he reckoned swiftly.
What was more, all were cars Of the
highest class. with tile exception Of
Felps roadster, Directly before him
were two which he was well aware
have cost close upon ten thou
sand each. what did this mean? Ger
tainly no one man or one group Of men,
this ~back-couniry spot, could expect
to use such an accumulation OF ex-
cars
Gramont glanced around, but found
10 trace OF machinery in the barn.
remembering the motor that he had
ieard. he turned from the doorway ,
n frownlng perplexity. He strobe on
oward the long shed which stood
loser to the house. AT the end of {
his shed vas q door. and when he |
ried it, Gramont found 1t unlocked. It {
wung open to his hand, and he {
topped inside.
Al first he paused. confused by the
ague objects around. for it was quite S
ark in here. A moment, and his eyes
rev accustomed to the gloomier light a
ig. Details anne to him: all. around v
ere cars and fragments of cars,
hassls and bodies in all stages Of S
lsmemberment. Still more carsi L
He slowly advanced to a long bench a
lat ran the length of the shop be- b
cath the windows. A shop. indeed
shop. he quickly perceived. fitted Fl
18th every tool and machine necessary :"
the most complete automobile re- b
,ir establishment Even an air Il
.ush outfit, at one end. together with
drying compartment, spoke of re- c.
int jobs. to
Comprehension was slowly dawnIng d.
ION the mind of Gramont a moment al
ter 1t became certainty, when he OF
me to a stop before an automobile re
CINE lying on the bench. He found go
to be the engine from a Stutz-the IL
test muitl-yalye type adopted by that an
Ike Of car, and this particular bit Of
,chinery looked like new. ed
Gramont inspected it, and he saw in,
the men had done their work be
n. The original engine number had sh
en- carefully dug out. and the place sn
carefully filled and leyeled with wa
tai. Besde II a new number had
20 stamped. A glance at the cleo on
raj equipment around showed that hel
workers had every appliance :
II which to turn out the most In TIL
ed IgBs. les
Is ae frightened I'D from the en- pin