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the post-office at Doncaster, and as the cheque was made 

 1 to order ' and bore a receipt stamp, Palmer, it was alleged, 

 forged the name ' John Parsons Cook,' and appropriated 

 the proceeds. That bill would be due on the day of Cook's 

 death. The same month he attempted to effect the 

 insurance on Bate's life, and though Cook had, at Palmer's 

 request, attested this proposal, which referred to Palmer as 

 the usual medical attendant, beyond that he had nothing 

 to do with it. On November 6 a writ for 2,000/. against 

 Palmer, and another for the same sum against his mother, 

 were issued, but held over by Pratt for 'arrangement.' 

 This he managed to the amount of 800/.; and consequently, 

 after allowing for an exorbitant discount, 600/. was taken 

 off the bill, leaving 1,400/. to be met. The Prince of 

 Wales's Office had refused to pay on Walter Palmer's life, 

 and Pratt would wait no longer. On November 13, 

 Pratt wrote him that all the bills, 11,500/. in amount, must 

 be met — a letter which Palmer must have received next 

 day — the day after Cook's horse won at Shrewsbury. After 

 the race Cook had between 700/. and 800/. in his pocket, 

 and from the stakes and other bets would be entitled on 

 the week after to receive upwards of 1,000/. at Tattersall's. 

 Before that day Cook was dead, his pocket-book empty, 

 and his betting-book missing. Cook celebrated the victory 

 of his horse with some friends at the Raven Hotel on his 

 return from the course. He went to bed well, and next 

 day was at the meeting as usual. That night his illness 

 began. Fisher, a witness, was invited by Cook late on the 

 evening of November 14 to come to the rooms where he, 

 Palmer, and one Myatt were, to take some brandy and 

 water. Cook drank almost all the liquor in his glass, and 

 within a minute exclaimed, ' There is something in it ; it 

 burns my throat dreadfully.' Palmer sipped what remained 

 of the liquor, and said : ' There is nothing in it.' Later 

 Cook said he thought Palmer had been dosing him, and 

 gave Fisher 700/. to take care of. Dr. Gibson was sent for, 

 and administered some simple remedies. Cook said later, 

 he thought he had been poisoned. Mrs. Brooks saw 

 Palmer on the night of the 15th standing at a table in a 

 passage at the top of the stairs which led to Cook's bed- 

 room, examining the contents of a tumbler which he held 

 up to the light. At the Talbot Arms, at Rugeley, an inn 

 situated immediately opposite Palmer's own house, whither 



