"We'll just have to stay on our toes," said Quint. "And we can't forget that they know our names. They could be watching out for us, just like we're watching out for them."

I hadn't forgotten, not for one minute. The only reason I'd been able to enjoy following those crooks through the park was because we had been behind them. For once, I didn't have to worry about them being behind me.

"Hey, aren't we supposed to meet Stacey and her dad for lunch?" asked Quint, looking at his watch. "It's almost noon. We should call them."

We stood up and headed for a phone booth. I dialed Mr. McGill's number, and Stacey answered right away. "Hi!" I said. "Are we still meeting you for lunch?"

"Definitely," replied Stacey. "We've been shopping all morning, and I'm starved."

"Where should we meet you?" I asked.

"It's up to you and Quint. Wherever you guys would like to go is fine with us."

I covered the mouthpiece with my hand for a second and looked at Quint. "It's up to us where we go," I told him.

His eyes lit up and I knew what he was thinking. "The Palm Court," he said.

I nodded. "Could we go to the Palm Court?" I asked Stacey.

"Sure," she said, sounding a little surprised.

"I always wanted to see the Plaza," I went on, hoping to explain my choice.

"Sounds like fun. Can you meet us there at twelve-thirty?"

I checked with Quint, and he nodded. "We'll be there," I said. I hung up.

Quint checked his watch again. "If we take a cab, we'll be there in no time," he said. "We can hang out here for a little longer and see if the men come out of the museum."

We picked out a place on the steps in front of the museum and settled in. All around us, people were eating lunch, talking, playing patty-cake with their babies, and reading. I've noticed that New Yorkers have an ability to make themselves comfortable wherever they are. One woman was even holding up a reflective tanning mirror to her face. I was so involved in my people-watching that I forgot to Frank-and-Red-watch, but luckily Quint