Cross-examined by Mr. SERJEANT SHEE--I am a married woman, and am in the habit of attending race meetings, but my husband does not sanction my going when he knows about it. Several people were taken ill in Shrewsbury on the Wednesday. One of my company was dreadfully ill, and there was a wonder what could cause it; we made an observation. We thought the water might have been poisoned. We were all affected the same way by sickness.
Can you tell me in what way it affected persons?
By the ATTORNEY-GENERAL--Any person you saw. Whom did you see yourself affected in that way?--There was a lady that came to meet me there; she was one; and there was another party in my company who was so ill that he could not go to the races on Thursday.
By Mr. SERJEANT SHEE--They were affected by sickness and purging.
You saw Palmer with the glass in his hand?--I did.
Did he put it up to the light?--He held it just carelessly up. I did not see any substance in the glass. He was doing this in a passage that led to a great many rooms. I could not say if there was more than one light in the passage. I think it was a chandelier. He said, “I will be with you presently,” when he carried the glass into the room which I supposed to have been unoccupied.
Did he also say that while he was holding it to the light?--Yes, just in this manner, quite carelessly.
And at that time you thought nothing of it?--I thought he was mixing up some cooling draught, and was waiting for some water. I was not examined before the coroner.
By the ATTORNEY-GENERAL--The brandy and water he gave me was cold, not hot. I have known Palmer for a great number of years as a racing man.