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Perlrihtly decorated and spotless at paint and chrome Nearly four dozen classic automobiles, two aircraft and a turn-of-the-century railroad car sat in restored splendor on a highly polished concrete floor The door closed silently behind hih the incredible display of exotic machinery

Pitt stood on a balcony that extended froood ten estured at the cylindrical package under Perlmutter's arm

"Beware of Greeks bearing gifts," he said, s

Perlave him a scowl "I am not Greek and this happens to be a bottle of French Doe, "vintage 1983, to celebrate your return to civilization I would i in your cellar"

Pitt laughed "All right, we'll test it againstwine"

"You can't be serious Albuquerque? Gruet?"

"They beat out the best of the California sparkling wines in competition"

"All this talk about wine is rowl Send down your lift"

Pitt sent down an antique freight elevator with ornate wrought-iron screens around it As soon as it jangled to a stop, Perlh?"

"I installed itup the furniture But this will be a true load-capacity test"

"That's a coht," muttered Perlmutter as the elevator easily carried him up to Pitt's apartment

At the landing they greeted each other like the old friends they were "Good to see you, Julien"

"Always happy to dine withjokes He was an old confire Pitt of California

"There are nine others just likesurprise

Perlot in the way, you'd be amazed how ue" He paused to sniff the air "Is that herring I smell?"