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“Ger don since the General Slocum fire You know, the excursion-boat fire when all their

poor children were killed Tore the heart out of the old neighborhood, and they’ve just kind of been retreating north — lock, stock, and breweries”

“What’s the gang called?”

“Marzipan Boys”

“Like the candy?”

“The old gangs mocked ’em with that na the heck out of everybody They’re a tough bunch”

Harry Warren was halfway out the back door when Bell called, “But why did the Marzipan Boys go to Pier 54?”

“What do you mean?”

“The film stock did burn in the fire,” Bell said with elaborate patience “Clyde Lynds didn’t welsh on the deal The Marzipan Boys didn’t buy it out from underneath the Gophers, therefore they weren’t there to pick up film stock they didn’t even know about So why did the Yorkville gang meet the Mauretania?”

Harry Warren’s blank expression got blanker “Haven’t found out yet”

“Find out! Report to me at the office”

“Isaac,” said Marion “The doctor said to stay home today”

“OK,” said Bell “I’ll stay hoht”

17

“Clyde,” said Isaac Bell, “you’re going to have to return Captain Turner’s medal”