They sighted each other in the same instant, and Gavegan let out a roar and started for him.
Caught between two opposing forces, Larry again had no time to plan.
Rather, there was nothing he could plan, for only one way was open to him.

He dashed into the pawnshop and into the back room.

At the Duchess's desk Hunt was scribbling at furious speed.
"I'm caught, Hunt--Gavegan's coming," he gasped, and ran up the stairs, Hunt following and stuffing his scribblings into a pocket.

As Larry passed the open studio door he saw Casey sitting up.

"Down on the floor with you, Casey! Hunt, work over him to bring him to--and stall Gavegan for a while if you can." With that Larry sprang to a ladder at the end of the little hall, ran up it, unhooked and pushed up the trap, scrambled through upon the roof, and pushed the trap back into place.
Fortune, or rather the well-wishing wits of friends below, gave Larry a few precious moments more than he had counted on.