CHARGE OF CHEATING

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 853, 23 December 1929, Page 9

CHARGE OF CHEATING

LEADER OF KNIGHTS OF HOLY GRAIL STRANGE ORDER REVEALED United P.A.—By Telegraph—Copyright Heed. 10.30 a.m. LONDON, Sunday. Overlooking the mediaeval town of Schwaz, in the Tyrol, stands the lofty castle of Von Perberg. Here an underground passage led to a secret temple, where modern knights of the Holy Grail, each wearing on his breast a golden cross, and securing admission by the password “Lohengrin,” reverenced a crystal chalice, which was illuminated by a hidden light, while Count Oscar Bernhardt, clad in glittering armour, chanted a litany. Came an unhappy day when one of the knights charged the Count with cheating them of a large sum. The result was that the police visited the temple after doping the savage wolfhounds which were on guard. Then followed a charge of fraud, in which it was disclosed that the knights had contributed £20,000 to the Count's personal fund in six months. The Count in evidence said he was born in the flesh in 1875; but three years ago he became, by incarnation, Abdruschin, a Knight of the Holy Grail. He had a special mission to prepare souls for heaven. The corps of knights is now 120 strong. Many of these testified to their belief in the Count, who recently offered to build a hospital at Schwaz. The case was adjourned.