The fourth novel in the venerable adventure series, The Elusive
Pimpernel by Baroness Orczy, was first released in 1908.French Agent
Chauvelin visits England in 1793 as an authorized agent of the French
government. His true objective is to deceive Sir Percy Blakeney into
going back to France so that he can be apprehended and executed there.
At a gala on Richmond Green, a young French actress named Désirée
Candielle helps devise the plot.To raise money for the underprivileged
in Paris, Désirée is operating a tent with a mock guillotine. Marguerite
Blakeney walks into her stall and is immediately moved by the young
girl's tragic tale. Then, in front of the Prince of Wales, she extends
an invitation for her to perform at her Richmond home. Sir Percy insists
that they both visit him at his house as scheduled.Sir Percy Blakeney's
Scarlet Pimpernel is set up by Désirée Candielle as part of a plot to
get rid of him by his arch-rival Chauvelin. Marguerite is arrested for
attempting to enter France on a false passport, and the citizens of
Boulogne are threatened with death if she escapes. But as always Percy
is more than a match for his nemesis and proves his mettle in every
battle.