Free They Used Dark Forces by Dennis Wheatley Page A

liable to mislead a large number of their readers. But astrology is the most ancient of all sciences and an infallible guide to those who by prolonged study have learned how to make use of it. Naturally, to predict with accuracy the most favourable days on which to marry, or to commit a murder and get away with it, can be ascertained only by considering the case of the individual concerned. It is that which I propose to do for each of you.’
    Gregory, like most people in this modern world, was extremely sceptical about the age-old belief that the stars influenced one’s fortunes. That the doctor had hypnotised Khurrem with such surprising results still seemed to him to come within scientific acceptance; whereas he associated attempts to predict the future with charlatans who got money out of the credulous by gazing into crystals, telling the cards and suchlike dubious activities. None the less, it would obviously have been bad policy to offend his host, so he said:
    â€˜For this purpose I assume you propose to cast our horoscopes. If so, we should be most grateful to you.’
    â€˜Let us proceed, then.’ The doctor took some sheets of foolscap from a drawer in his desk, picked up his pen and began to ask Gregory a long series of questions, including his birth date, his age and the exact spelling of his name. Having written down the answers in a small, neat hand, he put the same questions to Kuporovitch who, with some reluctance, but on Gregory’s insistence, gave his real names. When Malacou had done he addressed both of them:
    â€˜You must not expect to receive overnight the results of the information you have given me. The influence of every planet that was above the horizon at your birth dates has to be takeninto consideration, and the attributes of some at times conflict with those of others. Careful judgement and prolonged thought are, therefore, necessary before one can make a final assessment of the effect each planet may have upon your fortunes when it is in the ascendant. But it will repay you well to await my advice; so do not become impatient.’
    â€˜Is it likely to take more than a few days?’ Gregory enquired.
    â€˜No. In the meantime you can be getting to know Herr Hauff, Willi von Altern and the more important people who live in the village, all of whom may later prove of use to you. I take it that the papers you carry are proof against any routine inspection?’
    Gregory nodded. ‘Yes, they show me to have returned from garrison duties in Norway and are good for an indefinite period.’
    â€˜How is that, when leave normally extends only for a fortnight?’
    â€˜Mine show me to be on sick leave, and that I am suffering from heart trouble.’
    â€˜While here as our guest, unless you commit some foolish act that draws attention to you, it is most unlikely that your account of yourself will be called in question. But should such a situation arise, and the authorities order you to go before a medical board, that might prove your undoing.’
    â€˜No, no!’ Gregory laughed, ‘I am too old a soldier to be caught out that way. In the First World War quite a number of men faked heart trouble by chewing cordite in order to escape from the horrors of the Western Front. It causes the heart to flutter. I have several strings of it on me and I should masticate one of them before I was examined.’
    â€˜Excellent. And, of course, as your soldier servant, Mr. Kuporovitch will be able to remain here as long as you do.’
    Having refilled their glasses, Malacou went on, ‘Now we have talked enough of our business for tonight. As you must know, the accounts of the progress of the war put out by Herr Goebbels’ Ministry are very far from being accurate. By performing elaborate ceremonies my powers as an occultist enable me to learn the truth and, at times, secure glimpses of the future; so there are occasions when I know that battlesreported by