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 385 T H E M O D E S T Y B L A I S E C O M P A N I TARRANT, Sir Gerald (continued) “THE IMPOSSIBLE VIRGIN” P 37 An operation he mounted with the unofficial approval of the Singapore Government has been documented and the papers have fallen into the hands of Brunel. To avoid an Intelligence scandal it is likely that he will be made a political scapegoat for the British Government and dismissed. He is given the original documents by Modesty and Willie as a birthday present. He asks how much they cost. Willie tells him that it is a very rude question, and anyway they stole them because it was cheaper. Helps solve some key parts of the Novikov mystery but is annoyed that Modesty and Willie are going after Brunel. Hears no more until Willie contacts him from Tangier on his way to Brunel’s estate in Rwanda to rescue Modesty and Dr. Giles Pennyfeather. Gets the full story from Willie later. When Modesty dashes off to Malta to berate Willie for going behind her back and cheating in their rare flower hunting competition, he minds her Jensen. “PIECES OF MODESTY” P 28 “THE GIGGLE-WRECKER” When ordered by his Minister to activate his network of agents in East Berlin to arrange the defection of Professor Okubo, he is on the point of resigning rather than comply. Suspects, quite rightly as it turns out, that it is a ploy by the East Germans to expose his agents. When Modesty offers to help he initially refuses but eventually concedes. Goes to Berlin himself to take over local control of the operation and provides everything Modesty and Willie require to get Okubo to West Berlin, mainly by calling on the help of their friend John Dall. Reports to his Minister that it was a trick, the man was not Okubo and has since committed suicide. As a token of his thanks he gives Modesty a bunch of violets paid for from a secret Government Special Fund. These are very special violets, it being more difficult to get two shillings out of the Fund than it would be to get twenty thousand pounds. Drawn by Neville Colvin TARRANT, Sir Gerald (continued) “I, LUCIFER” P 35 Relaxing with Modesty at her country cottage he agrees to find out what he can about blackmail death threats to people in government circles, even though it is not the concern of his department. He provides the information she wants and contributes to the formation of a possible but highly fantastic hypothesis on how such a racket might work. Tells Modesty Krolli turned down a murder job and might be a lead. He is a former Network lieutenant and is serving ten years in a Yugoslav labour battalion. She and Willie pursue the lead. He obtains the American file on Jack Wish for her, arranges for her and Willie to examine the special container provided for delivery of the pay off, has ports and airports watched when Modesty disappears and tells Willie that John Dall is on a death list. After that, all he can do is worry. “A TASTE FOR DEATH” P 22 Asks Modesty, as a personal favour, to see his old friend Dr. Aaronson, who is worried about the archaeological dig at Mus backed by Sir Howard Presteign. When, with Modesty and Stephen Collier, they call at Aaronson’s home they find him dead. Is with Modesty when Willie makes his emergency call from Panama about Gabriel and Dinah Pilgrim. He later meets Dinah at Modesty’s cottage when the parcel which contains the special pearl necklace is opened. Also present when Dinah reveals her remarkable powers of divination. Offers to have his agents check on Gabriel. When Dinah is kidnapped by Delicata it is realised that this ties in with Aaronson’s murder. Sets up meeting with Presteign and convinces him that criminals have taken over the dig. Presteign agrees to secretly fly Modesty, Willie and Steve to Mus in his supply plane. Hears nothing more until contacted by Steve when it is all over. Visits Presteign at his villa in the South of France. Suggests to him he takes the honourable course and commits suicide. The alternative is to be killed by Modesty. Rebuffed, he leaves, about ten minutes before Presteign drowns while swimming in the bay below his villa. Drawn by Romero