Still, if this young Humpty-Dumpty hadn't been pushed off his wall he, Cutty, would not now be marooned upon this roof 'twixt the devil and the deep blue sea.

To remain here until sunrise would be impossible; to slide down the drain was equally impossible--that is, if he ever wanted to see Boris Karlov again.

The way of the transgressor was hard.
He sat on his heels and let his gaze rove four-square, permitting no object to escape.

He saw a clothes pole leaning against the chimney.
Evidently the former tenants had hung up their laundry here.

There was no clothesline, however.