A COUPLE FEMME FATALES
One of the things I like most about the
Secret Agent X novels are the femme
fatales that filled the pages. There is a rumor that Ian Fleming, the creator
of James Bond was a fan of Secret Agent
X, and I can easily imagine where he got the ideas for some of his Bond
girls. Let's take a look at a few of them and see what you think.
Edna Cory from
Slaves of The Scorpion: The lighting
brought out the red-gold glint in her dark hair. Her dark eyes gleamed with
excitement. She was bored with her riches and soft life and wanted excitement,
even if it meant joining the criminal gang. She thought that she loved the
mastermind, but it was only the love of excitement and danger, which surrounded
him. She even holds admiration for the Agent:
"The girl
came toward him with lithe, swaying steps. Her eyes were shining, her
wondrously soft lips smiling lazily. When she was so close that the bosom of
her dress touched his with every breath she drew, she whispered, "This is
the greatest moment of my life. I have hunted the world over for such a man as
you. Mr. X. The Scorpion. Feared by police and criminals alike, the most
powerful figure in the world … yet a lonely figure. That should not be, Mr.
X." She raised her head; her eyes warm pools of passion. She swayed
slightly forward."
Perhaps hers
was not the complete desire for danger and excitement, as was Vina Tremaine
from Horror's Handclasp, but rather
the loneliness she felt and the need to be with a strong, exciting man.
Jane Lenox
from Satan's Syndicate: A tall, slim
girl with a pretty face and dark, wondrous eyes. Secret Agent X found her to
his liking:
" …
Wait!" Jane Lenox put a detaining hand on X's arm. "You … you're
going?"
He nodded.
"I must. There's more ahead - more adventure more criminals."
"Can't I
…" she dropped her eyes and whispered … "Would you take me with you?
I mean, perhaps I could help."
X took both
her hands in his. "No," he said gently. "You've done more than
your share already. I have my duty - you have yours. Some day, perhaps, our
paths may cross again. Until then … "
Sheila Landi -
The Moll from The Assassin's League: She was wearing a low-cut evening dress of
flame-colored material that hugged her tall, svelte figure. Blonde, the waves
of her straw-gold hair were unusual. Her eyes were so deep a blue that in the
parchment-shaded lights of the lounge they appeared almost black. She was known
as The Moll and was always involved
in high crime, political intrigue or espionage. When secret police of Europe
smelled scandal in high places, or heard of smoldering revolt, they sought her
out. This woman could identity Agent X no matter what new disguise he wore. Her
job - identify the Agent to her boss or Sabin the revolutionist. She knew him
but would not reveal him to the criminals. She turned out to be innocent and
was permitted to go free. Agent X was to miss her beauty and loyalty.
There were
many others, like Madam Death, the Leopard Lady, and Erlika, the daughter of
Satan. They could be found in the pages of Secret Agent X.
Happy reading.
