“I rowed quiet as I could, but he heard me 'fore I got to him. I heard a scrambling noise off ahead, and then a shaky voice hollers: 'Hello! who's that?'
“'It's me,' says I, rowing harder'n ever. 'Who are you? What's the row?'
“There was more scrambling and a slam, like a door shutting. In another two minutes I was alongside the launch and held up my lantern. Allie was there, fussing with his engine. And he was all alone.
“Alone he was, I say, fur's a body could see, but he was mighty shaky and frightened. Also, 'side of him, on the cushions, was a girl's jacket, and I thought I'd seen that jacket afore.
“'Hello!' says I. 'Is that you, Mr. Davidson? Thought you'd gone to Boston?'
“'Changed my mind,' he says. 'Got any gasoline?'
“'What you doing off here this time of night?' I says.
“'Going out to my—' He stopped. I s'pose the truth choked him. 'I was going to Provincetown,' he went on. 'Got any gasoline?'
“'What in the nation you starting to Provincetown in the middle of the night for?' I asks, innocent as could be.
“'Oh, thunder! I had business there, that's all. GOT ANY GASOLINE?'