I started to argue, but I knew he was right. "But Quint," I said. "They saw us. They heard our names! And they know where you live."

He gave my shoulder a squeeze. "Don't worry," he said. "We'll probably never see them again. Do you know how many hundreds of people live just on this one block? I wouldn't know most of my neighbors if I tripped over them."

New York is so weird. I can't imagine not knowing my neighbors. But Quint sounded so sure of himself, and I wanted to believe him. "Maybe you're right," I said. "I mean, they probably didn't even think twice about a couple of kids overhearing their fight. Right?"

"Definitely." Quint sounded confident, but he didn't really look it. I could see doubt in his eyes. "Anyway, there's nothing we can do about it now."

"Quint," called Mrs. Walter. "I think it's about time for Jessi to go back to her friend's house. You need your rest tonight."

"Okay, Mom," replied Quint. "I guess she's right," he said to me. "I almost forgot to be nervous about my performance, after seeing thatl" He gestured toward the window, then shook his head and grinned.

"Well, that's good, I guess. Anyway, you don't have to be nervous. You're going to be great."

"Listen," he said, ignoring my compliment. "Maybe we can spend some time tomorrow trying to find out more about those two guys.

Maybe if we got enough information, we could go to the police." He looked excited.

"I don't know. That could be dangerous."

"Not if we're careful. Come on. It'll be kind of fun. We can be detectives."

I felt like Red, arguing with Frank. I didn't want to be called a lily-livered chicken heart. "Well, okay," I said. I had a feeling that Quint was looking for something to take his mind off the dance concert. If we were very careful, playing detective might be just the thing. Anyway, the scene we'd witnessed was already beginning to seem unreal. Could we really have seen and heard two jewel thieves in the midst of planning a heist?