and, in consequence of that, I went about two o’clock to see if I could find Palmer, but could not. About ten minutes past ten I saw him in a car coming from the direction of Stafford. I asked him, “Have you seen Mr. Cook to-day?” He said, “No; we had better just run up and see.” We went up, and Cook told Palmer he was late, and that he had taken the medicine. We only stayed two or three minutes. Cook said he had taken some pills Mr. Bamford had sent him. He also said he had been up that day, and Palmer said he ought not to have been up. Palmer and I then went to his mother’s house, about 400 or 500 yards. We stayed about half an hour, and then left for Palmer’s house. I left him at his house and went home. On the Saturday I asked Cook to dine with me, but he did not. He said he was not well. I got for him a boiled leg of mutton and some broth from the Albion, which was taken to him by Ann Rowley, a charwoman. In the May before his death I borrowed £100 from Mrs. Palmer and £100 from William Palmer for Cook. I also negotiated a £500 loan through Mr. Pratt. I know that Palmer and Cook were jointly interested in one horse, “Pyrrhine,” and that they were in the habit of betting very frequently for each other. Shortly before Mr. Cook’s death I had seen Mr. Thirlby, Palmer’s assistant, dress Cook’s throat with caustic. I have seen this four or five times, chiefly before Shrewsbury races. I know Mr. Cook’s signature. [Some papers were handed to witness.] Here are two notes, instructions for the £500. One is signed “J. P. Cook” and the other “J. Parsons Cook.” I saw that signed. Some weeks before Mr. Cook’s death he was served with a writ. [The following letter was read:--] My dear Sir,--I have been in a devil of a fix about the bill, but have at last settled it at the cost of three guineas, for the damned discounter had issued a writ against me, and I am very much disgusted at it. JOHN PARSONS. I destroyed the envelope in which that was contained. [Another letter was read, dated 25th June, 1855--] Dear Jimmy,--I should like to have the bill renewed for two months more. Can it be done? Let me know by return; 4 Victoria Street, Holborn Bridge. I have scratched “Polestar” for the Northamptonshire and Wolverhampton Stakes. I shall be down on Friday and Saturday. In haste.--J. Parsons Cook. Fred tells me “Bolton” or “Arabus” will win the Northumberland Plate. J. P. COOK. I saw that “J. P. Cook” written. [The following paper was read:--] “Polestar,” three years; “Sirius,” two years, by way of mortgage, to secure £500, advanced on a bill of exchange, dated 29th August, 1855, payable three months after date. These were the instructions to prepare the mortgage. [Sidenote: J. Smith]