"And we certainly try to keep the confidence of the boys," Kettleman said maddeningly. "We wouldn't betray them to the police in any way unless it were absolutely necessary." "Betray them--? Mr. Kettleman," Malone said, "just what are you trying to tell me?" "It's about their meeting place," Kettleman said. "Oh, my. I'm not at all sure I ought to tell you this." He wrung his pale fat hands together and looked at Malone appealingly. "Now, now," Malone said, feeling foolish. "It's perfectly all right. We don't want to hurt the Spooks. Not any more than we have to. You can tell me, Mr. Kettleman." "Oh," Kettleman said. "Well. I--The Spooks do have a sort of secret meeting place, you know. And they meet there." He stopped. Malone said: "Where is it?" "Oh, it's a big empty warehouse," Kettleman said. "I really feel terrible about this. They're meeting there tonight some time, or that's what the rumors say. I shouldn't be telling you--" "Of course you should," Malone said, trying to sound reassuring. "Don't worry about a thing, Mr. Kettleman. Tonight?" "That's right," Kettleman said eagerly. He grinned and then looked morosely down at his hands. "Do you know where this warehouse is?" Malone said. "If any of the other little social groups use it--" "Oh, no, they don't," Kettleman said. "That's what makes it so funny. You see, the warehouse is deserted, but it's kept in good repair; there are bars on the windows, and it's protected by all sorts of alarm systems and things like that. So none of the others can use it. Only the Spooks. You can't get in without a key, not at all." "But do the Spooks--" Malone began. "Oh, no," Kettleman moaned. "They don't have a key. At least, that's what the other ... social groups say. The Spooks just ... just melt through the walls, or something like that." "Mr. Kettleman," Malone said, "where is this warehouse?" "I shouldn't be telling you this," Kettleman said. Malone sighed. "Please. Mr. Kettleman. You know we're working for the good of those boys, don't you?" "Well, I--" "Sure we are," Malone said. "So you can tell me." Kettleman blinked behind his glasses, and moaned a little. Malone waited with his hands tense in his lap. At last Kettleman said: "It's on West Street, near Chambers. That's downtown." He gave Malone an address. "That's where it is," he said. "But you won't ... do anything to the boys, will you? They're basically good boys. No matter what. And they--" "Don't worry about it, Mr. Kettleman," Malone said. "We'll take care of the Spooks." "Oh," Kettleman said. "Yes. Sure." He got up. Malone said: "There's just one more thing, Mr. Kettleman." "Yes?" The big man's voice had reached the high, breathy pitch of a fife. [Illustration] "Do you have any idea what time the Spooks usually meet?"