Hitler came to power; the brownshirts became masters of Germany.

Hanussen celebrated their victory as if it were his own. He gave lavish parties for his political friends and allies. He felt himself not only absolutely safe - he had Helldorf's I.O.U.s in his pocket - but an equal of the Nazi leaders. Pem, the mordantly witty Berlin journalist wrote: "Hitler and Hanussen have one thing in common: they base their careers on the suggestion of great promises. Hitler brought 'clairvoyance' into politics. Hanussen introduced politics into clairvoyance."

Then came the evening in the palatial villa in the Lietzenburgerstrasse that was to lead directly to Hanussen's downfall and death. The clairvoyant had acquired a new medium - a charming blonde actress named Maria Paudler. The guests included a dozen journalists, about the same number of SA leaders, and a few pretty, elegant women.

After a sumptuous supper at which champagne proverbially flowed like water, the séance began. Miss Paudler sat in a chair; Hanussen slowly stroked her temples. She was soon in a quite genuine trance. The blonde actress was no accomplice of the clairvoyant. It was the first time that she had collaborated with him.

A few minutes passed. The guests sat in a large circle, some stood leaning against the walls. There was silence but not much tension or expectation. The SA-leaders, the journalists, Hanussen's admirers and sycophants had attended a dozen such gatherings. The room was in semi-darkness; only the cigarettes and cigars glowed. With a curt gesture, Hanussen demanded attention.

The actress began to speak. At first the sounds were inarticulate. Gradually the staccato syllables combined into words, the words into sentences. But it was still unintelligible, as if she spoke some strange, foreign language. Only slowly, gradually did her speech become clear and normal.

At first it was the usual trance-medium's production. She described objects which some of the guests held hidden in their hands. She predicted places, names, connections of the future. She answered questions, unhesitantly and correctly. Dozens of mediums could do that - it was sheer telepathy. But near the end of the séance something strange and unexpected happened.

"I can see it," Maria Paudler whispered brokenly. "A disaster... The enemies of Germany strike... they want to destroy the movement... I see a house... a big house... it is burning... it burns down... It is meant as a signal for a... a revolt… "

The SA-men stirred uneasily. The journalists became restless. What was Hanussen up to? Was this a political prediction? A daring forecast?