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. 23 DRAWN BY ROMERO START DATE OF STORY 29th November 1971 ((Monday) END DATE OF STORY 8th April 1972 (Saturday) The Network punishment for the white slaver Mahmoud was to sell him into slavery. Five years later he has escaped and wants revenge. He arranges a car accident near Naples in which Modesty appears to have died, her body washed out to sea and takes her to his hideout on Capri. Sir Gerald Tarrant is told of Modesty’s death by Vinezzi of Italian Interpol, and he breaks the news to Willie. When they visit the scene of the accident, Willie is convinced that Modesty did not skid off the road to die in this crash. He sets out to find her and Tarrant sends Maude Tiller, one of his best agents, with him to watch and learn. Willie’s underworld contacts know nothing. Meanwhile, on Capri, Dr. Hans Baum is taking control of Modesty’s mind. Using hypno-narcosis to induce amnesia, he is able to convince her that she is one of Mahmoud’s gang, that Willie is her deadly enemy and that she must kill him on sight. When she does this her mind will clear, she will break down and Mahmoud will be revenged. Willie and Maude have reached Athens and Mahmoud lures Willie to Capri. He must be at the top of Monte Solaro at midnight in three days time. Willie leaves Maude behind but she contacts Tarrant and they go to Capri accompanied by Vinezzi. Suspicious of a trap Willie approaches the mountain top on foot, ignoring the chair lift. Mahmoud has sent Modesty to the rendezvous and tipped off the police. Seeing Modesty, Willie calls out – “Princess”. As trained by Baum she shoots him, but at the last instant changes her aim and only creases him. The memory blocks fall away and she is distraught. Baum, watching, is furious that his experiment has failed. Acting on the tip off Vinezzi, Tarrant and Maude go up the mountain in the chair lift, passing Baum on his way down. When Baum tells Mahmoud that he has failed, Mahmoud stabs him and sends his men up the mountain to finish the job. They are dealt with by Modesty, the now recovered Willie and Maude. Mahmoud is arrested and ensured a long prison sentence by Baum’s dying confession. Willie has a bad headache from Modesty’s bullet and is about to tell Maude that his plan to take her to Paris for a weekend is off when Tarrant saves him the embarrassment by ordering Maude back to London. 229