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Part One - Issue 942, January 3rd 1970:
RESTING between assignments, Tara answers a knock at the door of John Steed's flat.
It is a mysterious parcel...
Written by unknown, drawn by John Canning.
Steed
is sent a mysterious parcel at his flat. There are regimental badges printed
on the wrapping paper. Inside there is a model of a mounted soldier. Steed reads
out the enclosed note to Tara. It is from a shop called ‘The Hussar’
who say that they know Steed is a collector and they have enclosed a sample
of their products and an invitation to inspect their full range. Steed declares
the offer irresistible and they head off at once.
An hour later they reach the shop. Inside a man with spectacles and long white hair greets them. He is delighted that Steed has taken up his invitation and passes him a model of a foot grenadier of the guard to inspect. Steed says that he didn’t catch the man’s name, and as gas shoots from the gun of the model figure causing Steed and Tara to collapse, he says that he didn’t offer it. Revealing his hair to be a wig and removing the glasses he insists that the prone Steed will remember him when he discovers what waits in the back of the shop.
Part Two - Issue 943, January 10th 1970:
Full details are not available for this issue.
Written by unknown, drawn by unknown.
Part Three - Issue 944, January 17th 1970:
JOHN STEED and Tara King have fallen into the power of Captain Kettle, an officer who was
cashiered from the army for cowardice, and who is now determined to prove that Steed too
can be a coward. He puts them under the influence of his terrible invention, a dream
machine, which transports them to a world of fantasy.
Written by unknown, drawn by John Canning.
With Tara chained to a rock and Steed dressed in a full suit of armour, it looks like the dragon which is approaching is designed as a test of Steed’s courage. He drops his sword and seems to run away as the fire-breathing beast moves closer. The dragon tells Tara that it is going to burn her to a frazzle, but just as it goes to Steed returns and douses the dragon’s flames with the water he has gathered in his helmet. He tells the dragon that if it co-operates and goes home, he will re-light its fire. The dragon agrees and Steed keeps his part of the bargain. Captain Kettle watches on his dream machine as the dragon moves off. He swears that he will eventually frighten Steed – there are worse dreams to come.
Part Four - Issue 945, January 24th 1970:
JOHN STEED and Tara King have fallen into the power of Captain Kettle, an officer who was
cashiered from the army for cowardice, and who is now determined to prove that Steed too
can be a coward. He puts them under the influence of his terrible invention, a dream
machine, which transports them to a world of fantasy. (Sounds strangely
familiar).
Written by unknown, drawn by John Canning.
Steed and Tara continue on in the Medieval world. They find themselves in Camelot at a time when King Arthur is away with his Knights, and someone called The Black Baron is at the gates. Merlin tells Steed that he must battle the Baron on their behalf. He offers Steed the use of Excalibur, King Arthur’s sword, which the King forgot to take with him. Steed declines and instead picks up a bunch of carrots to use as his weapon.
Steed waits outside Camelot for the Black Baron. When he appears, Steed is armed with nothing but a lute and the bunch of carrots. On seeing this, the Black Baron wants to know if Steed is pulling his leg. Steed reassures him that he is not and the battle commences with the mounted Black Baron charging at Steed with his lance.
Part Five - Issue 946, January 31st 1970:
JOHN STEED and Tara King have fallen into the power of Captain Kettle, an officer who was
cashiered from the army for cowardice, and who is now determined to prove that Steed too
can be a coward. He puts them under the influence of his terrible invention, a dream
machine, which transports them to a world of fantasy. On this occasion they are in
Camelot, and Steed is facing the fearsome Black Baron.
Written by unknown, drawn by John Canning.
Steed seems doomed, but at the last minute he offers the carrots to the Black Baron’s horse. The animal pulls up – he has been offered his favourite dish – and the baron goes flying through the air and crashes to the ground. He pulls himself up, but he is obviously dazed. Steed knocks him out with one blow of the lute. Back at the shop, Captain Kettle is watching on his dream machine and he curses Steed as the scenario changes yet again.
Part Six - Issue 947, February 7th 1970:
JOHN STEED and Tara King have fallen into the power of Captain Kettle, an officer who
was cashiered from the army for cowardice, and who is now determined to prove that Steed
too can be a coward. He puts them under the influence of his terrible invention, a
dream machine, which transports them to a world of fantasy. (Sounds even more
strangely familiar).
Written by unknown, drawn by John Canning.
This time, Steed and Tara appear in the middle of a muddy battlefield during the battle of Balaclava. Steed spots Lord Cardigan on his mount. The Lord is using his telescope, and can see the Russian guns causing heavy casualties among the British troops. Steed suggests to Lord Cardigan that he charge the Light Brigade. Lord Cardigan agrees that it is a good idea, and even though he doesn’t recognise Steed’s uniform he feels that it should be Steed himself who leads the charge. Back at the shop, Captain Kettle is having trouble with his dream machine – it was programmed to make Steed a coward, but his heroic actions are causing it to overheat. Suddenly, Steed and Tara’s Crimean adventure is over and Steed finds himself in the dock in a court of law. The judge in front of him declares that he has been found guilty of cowardice and that he will be shot at dawn.
Part Seven - Issue 948, February 14th 1970:
JOHN STEED and Tara King have fallen into the power of Captain Kettle, an officer who was
cashiered from the army for cowardice, and who is now determined to prove that Steed too
can be a coward. He puts them under the influence of his terrible invention, a dream
machine, which transports them to a world of fantasy. (The précis writer was
obviously on holiday during this story!!).
Written by unknown, drawn by John Canning.
Tara has materialised into the robes of a barrister and she insists that Steed cannot be shot as he has not had a fair trial. She calls on various witnesses; the Dragon, the Black Baron and Lord Cardigan, all of whom agree that Steed has shown exemplary courage. Steed is declared not guilty. The machine blows up and Steed and Tara find themselves back in reality. Captain Kettle is crying. Tara comforts him and Steed tells him that even though his machine didn’t work he is still a splendid model maker. He wants a dozen of his best pieces.
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