GERMAN HORRORS

Gisborne Times, Volume LXV, Issue 10314, 25 January 1927, Page 8

GERMAN HORRORS

“AGE OF SPADES” GANG. DEVIL-WORSHIPPERS’ VICTIMS. There exists in Berlin a secret society of devil worshippers known as “The Ace of Spades.” Many suicides have Leen due to the tactics of this evil organisation, and its leaders when caught will be tried on charges of murder. “He.p! Help! Save me! Save mel” People in the Berlin streets turned to watch Fraulein Kooerta Mulier, a pretty twenty-year-old girl, running towards the POtsdamer Bridge over the Spree Canal, casting frightened looks over her shoulder as though pursued. Policemen looked in vain for her pursuers. There were none. Presently the girl screamed in. terror. “Satan!” she shrieked, and mounted the parapet of the bridge. There, after seeming to struggle with ail invisible adversary, she threw herself into the black water below, still crying out “Satan! Safari!” Investigations showed that the girl had been the victim of the “Ace of Spades,” and that numerous other suicides had been due to the tactics of this organisation of devil worshippers, whose purpose is to extort blackmail from credulous women by making them believe that Satan liimself has taken possession of them. - REVOLTING DEMANDS. . When the women had been skilfully driven to the verge of insanity uiey are told that Mepliistoplieles can be appeased - and induced to leave them in peace by performing certain ceremonies and sacrifices. - The victim jumps at the chance and offers to do anything, but when the time comes she finds that the tilings expected of her are so fearful and revolting that she blacks out. In despair she asks if there is not some other way. Now comes the first suggestion of money, as they tell her that there is just one ray of hope. It is barely possible that, some needy woman might be induced to go through the dreadful ordeal for her. Of course, she would be expected to be paid for it.

Knowing what ‘the other woman is supposed to endure, she is not surprised to learn that her proxy has demanded a, staggering fee. If this is -paid, the dupe is assured Mepliistoplieles is appeased, and will not bother her again.

Women, young or old, who are upset or unhappy, are the prey of the agents of the “Ace of Spades” Society, who tell them they are possessed by fiends. . They are taken to underground rooms, where mysterious rites are performed. Trembling with fright, they listen to strange sounds as of an orchestra gone mad; blinding lights of all colours are shot at them from unexpected places, and there are sickening odours that seem half perfume and half decay. A “priest” in a long robe, with the figure of a devil on it and on liis peaked cap, directs ceremonies.

To find out what particular fiend is tormenting her the victim is asked to select a card from a pack. Mepliistoplieles, she is told, is represented by the Ace of Spades, but that card fortunately never turns up. The “priest” drops the cards one by one in front of, lier. The frightened woman chooses one and turns it tip. It is the dreadful Ace of Spades!