found it, but found it marked with a _Mortuus est_: how now, said he then, is your name _J. B._ and are you alive. Yes, Sir, said the Fellow, your Clark knows me; for I have paid him truly and honestly, and not long since he received the last. The Brewer hearing him say so, and now discovering the whole story, and his Clerks knavery, told the man that he would send him in some Drink, but withal ordered him to come the next morning about 9 a Clock. But before that time, about 8, he took his Clerk to task, and pretending to look over his Book in general, made several stops and asked questions, but more particularly when he came to this Debt; and he asking if he never received any money of him; No, Sir, said the Clerk, I could never find him; and at length I did hear of him, but _Mortuus est_, Sir, He’s dead long since. Are you sure of it, replyed the Brewer: Yes, Sir, said the Clerk, I am certainly sure of it; what I have writ there is infallible: But I doubt it will not prove so, said the Master; and thereupon, seeing the Customer come in, he said, look, sure this is he, or his Ghost. Our Clerk too well knowing the matter, and that it was so apparent, knew not what to say or do, but knowing that he was in a fault, and caught too, and being guilty of many more such tricks, and doubting they would all come out, cryed _Peccavi_, and desired Pardon: but his Master believing him to be more Knave than he yet knew, told him his thoughts, and (withal) that he would lay him Jayl. The Clerk hearing that lamentable word, told his Master he would prevent him by drowning himself; and thereupon the house being by the water-side, he ran thither, in order to his resolution. The Brewer hearing the Clerks resolution of drowning himself, and doubting that he might be so desperate as to do so, sent after him to stop and hinder him; for he considered that he should not only be somewhat guilty of his death, but also loose by it, for he had all his Books and Tallies about him; and if he should miscarry, he was not able to prove many debts that were owing to him, wherefore he not only saved his life, but told him, he forgave him that misdemeanor, and would not ask him any satisfaction, whereupon he rested contented: But this miscarriage of his was such a blot in his Scutchion, that he was called _Mortuus est_, to his dying day.