THE MANCHESTER EVENING NEWS

Manchester, Lancashire, England

15 May 1917

(page 3)

THE THREE M’S.

Charge Against a London Psychist.

There was a sequel at Marlborough-street today to a raid by Scotland Yard officers on the premises in Regent-street of the mystical society known as the “M.M.M.,” when Mrs. Mary Davies, psychist, was remanded on bail charged professing to tell fortunes.

When the police entered, Mrs. Davies was seated on a throne in the temple surrounded by about ten people and certain rites were in progress. Mr. Muskett, prosecuting, said that the woman was charged with pretending to tell fortunes, but it might be that the case would come under the second clause of the section—using a subtle craft, means, or device, by palmistry or otherwise to deceive and impose.” On the glass panel of the front door were the letters “M.M.M.,” which he thought that it meant Mysteria, Mystical, Maxima.

A detective said that it was the order of the Temple of the Orient. Describing the raid witness said when he entered the house he saw in a room ten persons besides prisoner, who was seated in a sort of throne chair with Masonic regalia representing the worshipful master. The others wore the aprons of master Masons. Accused said to him: “This is a Masonic lodge and you have no right here.”

Mrs. Blanche Daisley described her visit to the accused to inquire about a brother in the flying corps. Accused closed her eyes, and was silent for about two minutes, and then said, “Ah, how brave, how wonderful! I am afraid I can give you no hope that he will come through, but his spirit will live.” After another pause she said she saw two spirits. At accused’s request, witness handed her a ring and described them as spirits hovering about witness’s brother. Placing the ring to her forehead she exclaimed, “Magnet, how you draw people!” Witness added that prisoner rambled on about twin souls and spirits, and in the end she paid prisoner half-a-crown.