The Scarlet Pimpernel & Sir Percy Leads the Band

'The Scarlet Pimpernel' - Set during the Reign of Terror following the start of the French Revolution The Scarlet Pimpernel is the tale of Sir Percy Blakeney, a chivalrous Englishman who rescues aristocrats before they are sent to the guillotine. He is known by his symbol, a simple flower, the scarlet pimpernel. Marguerite Blakeney, his French wife, does not share his secret. She is approached by the new French envoy to England with a threat to her brother's life if she does not aid in the search for the Pimpernel. 'Sir Percy Leads the Band' - It is January of 1793 and the Reign of Terror has already taken many lives. Scarlet Pimpernel and his gang of friends and helpers camouflage themselves as a wandering musical group, in order to rescue wrongly accused family from execution. But their bitter enemy Chauvelin is on their trail, and he is ready to go beyond blackmailing and bribery just to get Sir Percy.

Baroness Emmuska Orczy (1865-1947) was a Hungarian-born British novelist and playwright. She is best known for her series of novels featuring the Scarlet Pimpernel, the alter ego of Sir Percy Blakeney, a wealthy English fop who transforms into a formidable swordsman and a quick-thinking escape artist, establishing the 'hero with a secret identity' into popular culture.