The girl had lost her place; the man was in "possession"; and the stock and furniture had been seized for debt.
Jackling thereupon assumed the character of a creditor, and ask to speak with the mistress.
"She's too ill to see you, sir," the girl said.
"Tell the truth, you fool," cried the man in possession.

He led the way to a door with a glass in the upper part of it, which opened into a parlor behind the shop.

As soon as his back was turned, Jackling whispered to the maid, "When I go, slip out after me; I've got something for you." The man lifted the curtain over the glass.

"Look through," he said, "and see what's the matter with her for yourself." Jackling discovered the mistress flat on her back on the floor, helplessly drunk.

That was enough for the clerk--so far.