 There is one major discrepancy between this film and the way  Modestys background is described in the novels and comic strips.  According to the flashbacks shown in this movie, Lob, the old man  who tutored Modesty, was not only a scholarly professor who knew  seven languages and had a great general knowledge, but was also a  martial arts master who taught Modesty advanced unarmed combat  (despite the fact that Modesty, as a child, is also shown saving Lob  from some thieving boys). In the novels and comic strips Lob was the  intellectual tutor, but he was totally helpless and needed Modesty  to defend him. Modesty learned unarmed combat at a later time in her  life, picking it up various places including from masters in the Far  East.