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Correspondence from Aleister Crowley to Gerald Yorke
die
[20 March 1929]
C∴F∴
93
I am still pretty sick, the coughing fits (which go on for hours at night) and the spells of fever exhaust me. Doctor comes again this afternoon.
I sent 1000 fr[ancs] to Regardie [Israel Regardie] this a.m. so they should be all right for a fortnight.
The main plan is twofold. (1) an interview with the ambassador—the Consul at Tunis interviewed on my behalf—last time they tried this idiot game (about the three women I was supposed to have killed in Sicily!!!) and (2) the intervention of Paul Boncour, who has only to telephone the Prefecture to get the order rescinded. But (2) will cost a lot of money—first payment of £50 I gather—and the pretext is (like Tetragrammaton) one, one and alone. I must smash my detractors, make all public, show that the whole attack is base malice.
To do this is easy, and, incidentally, will vindicate your action before all the world.
It is really in your best interest to do this. If not, you would have to go on all your life skulking around and saying "I know not the man". And all the cocks in Europe will crow at you.
I think you ought to come over here this week-end, and see various people who are working on my behalf. I'm trying to raise some money here; but it's too early to feel sure. If I could get up and go about, it might be easier. But then I would have to leave France—utterly messing up the production of "Magick" [Magick in Theory and Practice]. The inconvenience of this is probably the real basis of this mean attack. But your indiscretions—plus your discretion (which is no part of valour)—made it possible. And, very likely, according to Regardie, they are starting to make trouble for you "In England—now" even before April's here.
Wire me if you're coming. I'll get on and work my bloody guns.
93 93/93
Fraternally
666.
P.S. I have a letter from Regardie which would be heartbreaking if it didn't make one's blood boil.
He is sure that the police are on to you for witchcraft! de M [Maria de Miramar] is very ill. I[srael] R[egardie] is fagged out. These people will and may murder.
I have to get in a secretary this P.M. to make a statement of the whole case.
What price the 14th Century? I think you might get Arnold Bennett, E.K.C., H.G. Wells, Bertrand Russell to come in. Possibly also 'The New Statesman' or some similar paper I am ashamed to believe (from Regardie's last) that the real charge is "Black Magic" because it's unknown. They can't really produce corpses and cocaine. Meanwhile, raise money—tons of money—at no matter what cost. The showdown—when we get it—will pay for all.
666.
P.P.S. Long letter from Aumont [Gerard Aumont]. He could do much, but must have clothes. Wire him 2000 francs and he'll come up here in a few says and use his pull with deputies, journalists etc.
A little pluck, and we'll win another Waterloo. Which it would be unpleasant to say was won on the playing-grounds of the L.C.C. schools!
666.
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[Wednesday]