"Get out!" she cried, covering her face. "Get out before I call the police!"
"Adrian!"
She screamed, piercingly. This time, the sound brought heavy foot-side clumping outside her front door. It was thrown open, and a uniformed man with bouncing epaulets was striding towards him.
"No," Ron said. "You must listen—"
"Get him out of here!"
"Sure, Miss Walder!"
He struggled in the big man's grip, while the girl turned her head aside. He managed to squirm from his hold, and broke for the door. The houseman started after him, cursing. Ron's hand went out and grasped a solid metal ash tray. He threw it without thought or aim, but it crashed squarely into the man's face and sent him thudding to the carpet.
Adrian screamed again. He looked at her once more, imploringly. Then he ran for the door, just before she reached for the house telephone.
In the elevator cage, he punched the button marked roof, and fell against the wall, panting.
On the rooftop, he galloped across the metallic surface towards the ledge. He peered over it, and his heart sank when he saw that his stratagem had deceived no one. Police were entering the building, and some were pointing fingers in his direction. With a sigh, he dropped to his knees and rested his head against the cool aluminum surface.