“About eighteen months ago a number of officers began to take up spiritualism. Among these Jones was prominent. He asserted he was in communication with the dead and for some time he even published the news he thus obtained. I do not know when Hill began, but he also was a keen spiritualist. They have both spent a great deal of their time in this pursuit. Whether or not this has anything to do with their present condition I cannot say. Many other officers did the same and I saw no reason to interfere as I considered it a legitimate amusement.
“These two officers also appear to have studied what they call ‘telepathy,’ and about two or three months ago they gave an exhibition of thought-reading, part of which my Interpreter saw and which considerably surprised their fellow-officers. Later Hill and Jones asserted they were in communication (telepathic) with people in Europe and elsewhere as well as with the dead. Early in March, as I reported to you in my letter of the 18th March, Jones and Hill were found guilty on a charge of attempting to communicate with some person in Yozgad whose name they refused to give, and as I reported, I confined them in a separate house and forbade any intercourse with the rest of the camp. I allowed them to have their food sent in from Major Baylay’s house, which is near.
“While in confinement these two officers appear to have got the idea that their comrades in the camp disliked them, and this idea developed into delusion and terror that they were going to be murdered. Their condition became so grave that I called in the two medical officers, who had no hesitation, after examining them, in recommending their despatch to Constantinople.
“Meantime, until their departure, by the advice of Major Osman and Captain Suhbi Fahri, I have posted a special guard over the patients to prevent them from doing themselves or others any harm.
“With regard to the journey, as reported in my telegram I beg leave to send them under charge of my Interpreter with a sufficient escort, as the sufferers are accustomed to him and he will be able to understand their wants, and especially because knowing all they have done he may be of assistance to the specialists in their enquiry. Until his return I would like the services of the Changri Interpreter, but if necessary, for a short time, I could communicate any orders that may be necessary direct as several British officers here know a little Turkish.”
The report was posted on the 15th April. On the 16th the Commandant received from Constantinople the following telegram in answer to the Spook’s wire:
“Number 887. 15th April. Urgent. Very important. Answer to your cipher wire No. 77. Under your proposed arrangement send to the Hospital of Haidar Pasha the two English Officers who have to be under observation. Communicate with the Commandant Changri.—Kemal.”
“Hurrah!” said Moïse, when he brought us the news, “the Spook has controlled Constantinople!”
CHAPTER XXIII
IN WHICH THE SPOOK PERSUADES MOÏSE TO VOLUNTEER FOR