d. "This has been the best night's work yet. Did you
think I was never coming?"

Kendrick cleared his throat.

"Excuse me, madam, but there appears to be some mistake." He could
hear her startled gasp. "It is evident that you have got into the
wrong canoe in the dark. I am neither Joseph nor any of his brethren;
so he must be waiting for you still. Do you want me to turn back?"

"Wh-why,--who are you?" she managed to gasp in an alarmed voice.

"The same to you, madam, and many of them," laughed Kendrick easily.
"There's no occasion to feel frightened as I have just had a meal.
Anyone is liable to lose the way in a fog like this and I will count it
a privilege to help you locate Joe. He must be somewhere about if he
was waiting for you."

"Who are you?" she repeated more evenly.

"The owner of this canoe which you have commandeered so successfully.
Please pardon me for pointing out that it is your lead, madam. I would
be glad to have you begin by telling me who was in that launch? Why
all the excitement? Where do you want to go now?"

"You are inquisitive enough to be a detective. Are you?"

"In that case would I need to ask where we were going?" countered
Kendrick. "I believe you said this had been the best haul yet. Whose
house was it this time?"

She remained silent. When she spoke again Kendrick fancied a nervous
note in her voice.

"Will you please explain how you happened to be waiting for me at that
particular spot?"

"Bless your heart, madam, I wasn't waiting for you! I happen to live
nearby and was getting ready to step ashore when you grabbed my canoe
and ordered me to keep quiet. I did so. Here we are."

"Your discretion was commendable," she approved. "It certainly is most
extraordinary. I don't see where on earth--I guess my escort has taken
French leave." She tried to laugh carelessly, but she could not hide
the fact that she was greatly disturbed. "Will you paddle me across to
the city?"

"And leave poor Joe out in the cold gray fog? Don't you think it would
be better to turn back and give a holler or two?"

"Never mind him. He has gone home already very likely. I will pay you
one dollar to paddle me over. Is that satisfactory?"

"It all depends. Supposing I refuse?"

"Then I would have to ask you to step into the water and swim to shore
while I do my own paddling and keep down expenses."

"Presupposing, of course, that you own the canoe."

"It is too bad it