The Scarlet Pimpernel (1905) by

Primarily an adventure novel, set in 1792, during the early stages of the French Revolution. Originally written for the stage in 1905, where it was hugely popular, it was soon followed by this, equally successful, novel. The Scarlet Pimpernel is the name of a chivalrous Englishman, Sir Percy Blakeney, in the time of the Terrors in France, who, with his band of gentlemen, rescues aristocrats before they can be killed by the violent government in revolutionary France. A wealthy English fop, he is known by his symbol, a simple flower, the scarlet pimpernel (Anagallis arvensis). He succeeds by transforming himself into a formidable swordsman and a quick-thinking escape artist in addition to the strict secrecy of the group's movements. His identity is secret to all but his men