CASTLE ORGIES

Hokitika Guardian, 8 February 1930, Page 6

CASTLE ORGIES

VIENNA, December 21

The dramatic arrest at dawn in their beds at Voniperberg Castlenear Schwa* in the Austrian Tyrol of Ernest Oscar Bernhardt and bis wife has exposed an extraordinary que-asi-religious society called “ Tlie Knights of tbe Holy Grail.” Her nil art is fairly well known as a German author of dramas, farces, and novels under the name of Egon Bternerk. He lias also written several Oriental film scenarios and his works indicate that lie is 'fascinated by Indian themes.

He was born at Kotschenbrnda, near Dresden, in 1875, and lias prominent social connections in Germany. He regards himself, however, as the reincarnation of the Knight Abdruschin and claims a divine Alessianic mission. “The Knights of the Holy Grail” number 120 being composed mostly of German ex-officers, advocates physicians and engineers. Many women j have also attended the ceremonies at j Voniperberg. i A “HELL-FIRE CLUB.”

Police inquiries are stated to have revealed orgies recalling the worst phrases of the Templars and the “Monks of Aledinenliam” —Sir Francis Dashwood’s 18th-century “Hell-Fire Club”' off which John AVilke.s was a member. Two detectives discovered a subterranean entrance to the crypt of the “Grail Chapel” in the castle and, creeping up behind the “altar,” witnessed the ceremony.

Twenty-five “knights” wearing black cnssocK-like garments and with gold crosses on their breasts took part, each giving the pass-word “Lohengrin,” as be entered.

Albums of photographs are alleged to have been seized by the police showin gdetails of the initiation of each of the knights. It is suspected that Bernhardt used them subsequently for black mailing purposes.

Bernhardt appears to have been kept plentifully supplied with funds by the adherents of tbe order—the police say more than £25,000 He possesses two motor-cars and four horses and since last July lias made costly alterations to tbe castle. His., wife is

said to have previously conducted a saloon for magnetic healing in Munich.