Possible Clues:

• Stole, as gasoline
• Drew from a tank, as gas
• Returning, is called to be taken by tube
• After drink, got sharper and was diverting
• Stole gas, perhaps
• Brought down to a lower level?
• Drink made stronger and drawn off by tube
• Drink made sharp, added tonic perhaps
• How one got out of having a little drink with the honorable editor
• Drawn off when a man had tried to communicate