EXTRACTS: The Modesty Blaise Companion Expanded Edition © 2018 The Book Palace (425 PAGES in Full edition)

E X P A N D E D E D I T I O N T H E M O D E S T Y B L A I S E C O M P A N I STORY No. 10 DRAWN BY JIM HOLDAWAY START DATE OF STORY 12th December 1966 (Monday) END DATE OF STORY 22nd April 1967 (Saturday) Many years ago in remote North Bengal, Modesty’s life was saved by Lal, an ancient holy man. He gave her a token, a beetle in amber, and told her that if he ever had need of her the beetle would disappear. The Chinese have overrun Tibet and it is prophesied that Lal will save The Black Pearl, who will in turn reveal the next incarnation of the High Lama. The old High Lama is dying and the Chinese are preparing a false incarnation so the matter is urgent. In London, Modesty and Willie are entertaining Mark Scobie, an old friend on leave from the Nepalese Army. Mark is in love with Shuan, a Tibetan guerrilla fighter but he fears she may be dead. Mark picks up Lal’s token but cannot see the beetle. It has vanished. It is a call from Lal. Modesty, Willie and Mark go to Bengal and visit Lal. He tells her that the task she must undertake is to go to Sendring in Tibet and bring back The Black Pearl. No-one can tell her what it is as this would bring evil under the Law of Karma. The Khamba fighters who are to guide them at first refuse to be led by a woman but when Modesty beats three of them in a hand to hand fight, they accept her as their leader. At Sendring a huge ceremony is in progress, surrounded by Chinese troops. Disguised, Modesty and Willie are smuggled into the monastery. The Abbot hands over The Black Pearl, a Himalayan she-bear. Willie takes charge of her and they start their journey back to Bengal, pursued by Chinese troops. In a clash with them, Pearl saves Willie’s life and they rescue a prisoner from the Chinese. It is Shuan. Her Karma tells her she should not leave Tibet but she is very ill. Modesty and Willie capture a Chinese helicopter and with Mark and Shuan, take their leave of the Khambas, and fly off. When they land in India they are met by monks at the precise spot foretold by Lal. Shuan wants to return to Tibet but is stopped by Pearl. The monks say this is a great sign - she must stay. Pearl is taken to safety by the monks and Mark and Shuan are together. Later Willie confides to Modesty that he put some yaks liver on Shuan’s coat and that was what the Pearl was really after. Modesty then worries him by asking what the penalties are in the next world for fixing the Wheel of Karma in this one ? 215