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I was glad I had the knife in my pocket. It gave me a feeling of supreme confidence. I gave him back stare for stare. I toyed with the release button on the knife. In my imagination I dug it into his fat throat again and again; then I slashed him across the face.
    A funny thing happened: I actually saw his eyes bulge with fright. I swear he knew what I was thinking. I was sure of it. He knew that all I had to do was to take one step. With my magic push-button knife I would cut his face into chop suey. He turned his white flabby face away in terror. I laughed and spit on the floor. Max put the ball on the table. We walked out.
    “What was you laughing at, Noodles?” Max asked.
    “At the Chinaman.”
    “Them Chinks don't like to be laughed at, Noodles.”
    “That Chink I could handle, or anybody else,” I boasted.
    Maxie looked curiously at me. “He was a big Chink.”
    I shrugged. “So what? I'd cut him down to my size.”
    Maxie laughed and patted me on the back. “Yep, I forgot, you got Pipy's knife.”
    “My knife.”
    “Yep, your knife. It makes you feel good to have something like that handy, hey, Noodles?”
    I nodded. “Yeh, it makes you feel like you're somebody.”
    “I'm going to get something to carry around myself,” Maxie said. He picked up a cigar butt from the sidewalk. He put it in the corner of his mouth. “Someday I'm going to get me a revolver. I'll ask the Professor.”
    He handed me the butt. I smoked it awhile, then passed it back to him.
    The Professor held the door open for us as we walked downstairs into his place. “Everything all right? You boys delivered it?” he asked anxiously.
    “Yep, everything's all right, we delivered it.” Maxie spit on the floor. He puffed on his cigar stub. I looked coldly at the Professor.
    He laughed and gave us a dollar apiece. “You kids will go a long way; you got the goods all right.”
    “Yeh, Professor, we're looking to make money. We need it,” I said.
    “You boys will make plenty, and I'll show you how.”
    “You're the Professor,” Maxie wisecracked.
    He chuckled, and rubbed his hands. “Yes, yes, I can teach you lads plenty of tricks, maybe, for our mutual benefit.”
    “Hey, Professor,” Maxie was shuffling awkwardly with his feet.
    “Yes, Max?”
    “Can you get me and Noodles a couple of rods?”
    “Rods?” The Professor was surprised.
    “Yep, a couple of rods, you know, revolvers.”
    “Yes, Max, I know what you mean.”
    He was twisting his mustache. He looked at us intently.
    “What do you need them for?”
    “Well, we thought it would come in handy some time.”
    “For instance, when, and what for?”
    “You know, to make a heist.”
    “Who are you going to heist, Max?”
    Max hesitated for a moment. Then he said, “Well, of course, we still got to case the joint.”
    “Well, let's hear about it. Maybe I can give you lads a few pointers on how to go about it. Who you going to heist, Gelly's candy store?”
    “Nah, we're going to heist the Federal Reserve Bank,” Max said impressively.
    The Professor turned his back and put a handkerchief to his mouth. At first it sounded as if he was laughing. But we were mistaken. He really was coughing violently. When he caught his breath, he apologized. He wiped his wet eyes.
    “I have a bad cough, this damp cellar you know. Now, about this Federal Reserve heist. You lads are a little too young yet. Wait a few years. After a little experience on small stuff, like candy stores, drug stores, then gradually you work your way up to the Federal Reserve. All right, lads?” He was smiling broadly. “You can always come to me for help.”
    “Can you get us revolvers?” Max was insistent.
    “Yes, yes. I can get anything. Leave it to me, Max. When I think you boys are ready for them, you will have them. Is that satisfactory? One thing you have to learn, not to be too impetuous, my lad.”
    He patted Max on the back.
    “What's the name of the book you have in your back pocket?” he