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Correspondence from Charles Harper [Waterhouse & Co., Solicitors for Constable & Co.] to Otto Kyllmann [Constable & Co., Publishers of Laughing Torso]
[Correspondence following Constable & Co.'s defence against the libel suit and appeal brought by Aleister Crowley against Nina Hamnett and the publication of her book Laughing Torso.]
Waterhouse & Co. Solicitors 10 & 12 Bishopsgate, London, E.C.2.
2nd February 1935
CROWLEY
My dear Kyllmann,
Crowley's examination as to his means took place yesterday or rather it was partly taken and as the examiner had another appointment it was adjourned until 1st March.
On Thursday (January 31st) I had a telephone message from Mr. George E. Hindle a solicitor saying that he was acting for Crowley (this is a change of solicitor) and that a bankruptcy petition against Crowley would be heard yesterday morning. The petition, he said, had been filed on behalf of moneylenders who had advanced money without security to Crowley and were owed between £6000 and £7000 and Mr. Hindle thought that a receiving order would be made.
The idea I take it to suggest that it would be useless for us to go on with Crowley's examination, but I think the alleged loan is probably something of a fairy tale for moneylenders do not lend without security, and so I have taken no notice. The receiving order was made yesterday morning but that is not the same as an adjudication in bankruptcy which comes later. If things are as I suspect and we can prove it we may be able to upset the receiving order, otherwise Constables will have to prove in the bankruptcy for their claim against Crowley. As his assets are likely to prove very moderate, if anything, this would mean that you would recover practically nothing.
Yours sincerely,
Charles S. J. Harper
Otto Kyllmann, Esq., 10 & 12, Orange Street, Leicester Square, W.C.2.
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