The Great Gatsby, on a wire

What is the figurative meaning of "on a wire" in the following passage of The Great Gatsby that describes when Gatsby is going to see Daisy for the first time after five years of absence?

"With his hands still in his coat pockets he stalked by me into the hall, turned sharply as if he were on a wire and disappeared into the living room. It wasn’t a bit funny. Aware of the loud beating of my own heart I pulled the door to against the increasing rain."

Thank you.