THE DERBY DAILY TELEGRAPH

Derby, Derbyshire, England

15 May 1917

(page 3)

FORTUNE-TELLER CHARGED.

MEN AND WOMEN WHO

POSED AS FREEMASONS.

Strange Scene at Room in Regent-street.

At Marlborough-street Police Court to-day Mrs. Mary Davies described as a psychist, was charged under the fortune-telling section of the Vagrancy Act. Mr. Muskett, for the prosecution, intimated that part of the case would also be heard under the section dealing with using a subtle craft and device by palmistry and otherwise to deceive and impose. Inspector Curry said that last evening he went to 93, Regent-street, where the prisoner occupied rooms. On the glass panel on one of the doors were the letters, “M.M.M.,” which meant mysteria, mystica, maxima, and was supposed to refer to the Order of the Temple of the Orient. In a room on the third floor witness saw the prisoner with ten other persons, five men and five women. She was seated on a sort of throne chair, and was wearing the Masonic regalia of a Worshipful Master, while her companions all wore Masonic aprons. Witness told Mrs. Davies he had a warrant for her arrest. She replied: “I have done nothing wrong. This is a Masonic Lodge. You have no right here!” Witness said: The founder of this order was a man named Alisti Crowley [sic], who is a traitor to this country. When informed what the warrant was about the prisoner said: “I don’t tell fortunes. There is some mistake.” Blanche Daistey, a young married lady, described a visit she paid to the prisoner at the request of police. Witness gave the name of Mrs. FitzHughes, and asked the prisoner if she could tell whether her brother in the Flying Corps was safe and well, and if he would come through all right. The prisoner closed her eyes, and in the course of her observations said: “I can give you no hope that he will come through, but his spirit will live. Two spirits, she later said, were hovering around witness’s alleged Flying Corps. Another witness gave her half-a-guinea for an interview. The case was adjourned, the prisoner being granted bail.