Three monks have been found dead in a pavilion fire in the Garden of the Purple Clouds of Autumn.  The monks are thought to have died because of an overturned brazier.

The names of the deceased have not yet been released, but a reliable source indicates that all three were respected scholars of T'ang, Five Dynasties, and Sung literature; a profound loss to all who value China's great cultural heritage.

Eyewitnesses remarked that the evening fire leapt in an uncanny fashion from one blazing structure to follow the fleeing monks into the second pavilion.  "A floating cloud of fire followed them," according to Mr. Liu Chen-dai of Brilliant Poppy Lane.

A European was seen leaving the vicinity of the conflagration.  Police respectfully ask his assistance in their investigation.
 
 
 
 

                                                                                                                                                         - SHANGHAI COURIER, April 6, 1925