THE PEOPLE

London, England

20 May 1917

(page 4)

“TEMPLE OF THE ORIENT.”

STRANGE FORTUNE-TELLING CHARGE.

Remarkable features were associated with a case at Marlborough-street in which a married woman of 50, described as an authoress and preacher, giving the name of Mary Davies, was charged with pretending to tell fortunes, with intent to deceive and impose upon certain of his Majesty’s subjects, at Regent-st., W—Mr. Musket (prosecuting) stated that the case would be presented later as one of “using subtle crafts to deceive” three ladies—Det.-insp. Curry deposed that he went with other officers to rooms occupied by prisoner at 93, Regent-st.

“Mysteria, Mystica, Maxima.”

On the panel of one door were the letters “M.M.M.,” which he was given to understand stood for “Mysteria, Mystica, Maxima.” On another door were the words, “Mary Davies, sitting 11 till five.” When witness knocked, the door was opened by a man named Langston, who showed them into a room where he found prisoner sitting in a sort of throne chair and dressed in the regalia of a Worshipful Master of Freemasons. Five men and five women, all wearing Master Mason’s aprons, were seated round her. Witness told Davies he held a warrant for her arrest, when she exclaimed:

What, a warrant for my arrest! I have done nothing wrong. This is a Masonic lodge, and you have no right here.

Witness replied

 I don’t recognise this as of any consequence. I understand you call this “The Order of the Temple of the Orient.” Your founder is Lyste [sic] Crowley, a man of evil reputation and a traitor to this country.

She denied that she ever told fortunes.

Lady’s Story of a Visit.

—Mrs. Blanche Daisley, of Southfields, said on the suggestion of Insp. Curry, she went to prisoner’s rooms on May 3, and told her she had some for “comfort and advice.” Davies took her into a back room and asked her name, to which the witness replied, “Mrs. Fitz-Hughes.” She added that she had a brother in the Flying Corps, and wanted to know if he would “come through” safe. Thereupon prisoner closed her eyes, and after about two minutes spoke to the following effect:—

Ah yes! I see him. . . . Ah! what is this? I see something has happened. He is still. . . . Ah! what is this? How brave, how wonderful!. . . . I am afraid I can give you no hope he will come through, but his spirit will live.

After further ramblings she interposed with the remark to witness, “Where did I see your husband? He is older than you, and you don’t love him as a wife should.” (Laughter, in which witness merrily joined.) On leaving witness paid her the agreed fee of 10s. 6d.—Remanded, bail in £100.