Bemmelman burst from the office. "Which way did he go? The force screens are up! He can't escape!"
"He got in," Sofi pointed out coolly.
Half a dozen armed serfs dashed into the hall. The alarm bells were still ringing.
"Which way?" Bemmelman roared.
The serf said: "Up."
"We've got him. That leads to the roof. He can't get off!" He charged the steps followed by the pack of Venusians.
At the roof Bemmelman paused, shoved up the trap. With considerable respect for his own skin, he ordered one of the serfs through first.
"Careful," he advised. "The man's desperate."
The serf climbed fatalistically onto the roof, turned around and around.
"He's not here."