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. 21 DRAWN BY ROMERO START DATE OF STORY 22nd February 1971 (Monday) END DATE OF STORY 10th July 1971 (Saturday) When Modesty and Willie almost run over a panic stricken hippy on the road just outside the grounds of Saint-Maur castle, they inadvertently stumble upon one of Sir Gerald Tarrant’s operations. The hippy claims to have seen a medieval Jester hunted and killed by a knight on horseback. Climbing the wall, Willie investigates and finds a mans body being eaten by the lions kept in the grounds. He picks up a Jester’s bauble nearby and later discovers that it contains a miniature tape recorder. He and Modesty take it to Tarrant who reveals that the Jester was one of his agents. He was investigating the theft of a secret torpedo, in a commando style raid, from a research station quite close to the castle. Colonel the Earl Saint-Maur, was thrown out of the army and he happens to be an ex-Commando, as are the men he employs at the castle. Modesty and Willie arrange to visit the castle for a few days as paying guests at the feudal feasts Saint-Maur lays on for the rich. They quickly realise he is quite mad and he and his men are living in a dangerous fantasy world which includes bear baiting, duels to the death and lion hunts. On their second night they secretly explore the castle and find the torpedo, but Saint-Maur has recognised them and is waiting. They are taken prisoner. The next day Willie is forced to face Saint-Maur in a joust to the death but instead of fighting, Willie uses his lance to pole vault to the balcony from which Modesty is having to watch. Knocking out her guards they start a running battle through the castle, deal with more of the men and manage to get a radio message off to Tarrant, telling him exactly where and how to find the torpedo. While Modesty draws off the guards, Willie steals a horse on which they escape into the castle grounds. Saint-Maur chases them, also on horseback. His shouted challenges attract one of the lions which attacks and kills him. Following on foot, his men surround Modesty and Willie to exact revenge for the death of their leader and employer. They are rescued just in time by real Commandos brought in by Tarrant. In payment for their work Willie demands that Tarrant makes them a nice cup of tea – they’re dying for one. 227