"THE SANCTUARY."

Taihape Daily Times, Volume 7, Issue 310, 7 October 1915, Page 7

"THE SANCTUARY."

PARIS FLAT MYSTERY. The weird ritual of occult women in a mystery flat is explained in a remarkable article from the Paris correspondent of the London Daily Mail,^ who says: — An extraordinary band of imposters, who conducted a pscudo-Spiritualist or- .. Lotion known as the “ Santnary, ’■ 1 A.ce been arrested by the Paris police, j Their- chief, who had been a costume singer, claimed occult powers and founded a religion under tiie protection, as he claimed, of King David, which attracted a following of wealthy women. One of the band attended the seances in the guise of a reincarnation of the Queen of Ethiopi. Incense, hidden music, mysterious perfumes all played their part in the ritual of the “Sanctuary,” which was established in a prosaic block of hats in the heart of the city. The M mg were some of the devices resorted to by the conductors of the “Sanctuary’ 4 to raise hior.'ey:- — Sale of magic magnet for slaughtering Germans by occult means, price £1,(100. Course of lessons for opening the 1 gates of Paradise at 10/ each. Sale of magic pills containing the “Essence of Cagliostro,” the eight-eenth-century magic ia n. The police were informed of the activities of the gang by the daughter of a French countess, whose mother had been drawn into their tolls. The daughter, in endeavouring to persuade her mother to break with the 4 4 Sanctuary, had attended meetings there and herself been victimised to the extent of £I,OOO. The manner in which the arrest was effected was not without humour. The chief of the Paris Criminal Investigation Department, aceompanised by one of his detectives, presented himself at a meeting of the 44 Sanctuary ” , and bought the 7/0 tickets which admitted to the ‘‘ service.” When the leader of the gang was L his supposed trance the chief of police, affecting the role of an inquirer, asked the medium whether the business he had in hand would succeed. 44 Certainly,” replied the medium, “and before very long, too.” T-hc chief of police rose in his place. 44 1 t has succeeded already,” he said. In the name of the law I order that no one shall leave the room.” Other police were called in, and the vliole gang of imposters was arrested.