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 Desiree Candielle helps devise the plot.To raise money for the underprivileged in Paris, Desiree 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 Desiree 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.