Sir Percy Hits Back

Infobox Book |
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name = Sir Percy Hits Back
title_orig =
translator =


image_caption = 1927 First Edition
author = Baroness Orczy
illustrator =
cover_artist =
country = United Kingdom
language = English
series = The Scarlet Pimpernel
genre = Adventure, Historical novel
publisher = Hodder & Stoughton
release_date = 1927
english_release_date =
media_type = Print (Hardback & Paperback)
pages = 319 pp
isbn = NA
preceded_by = Eldorado
followed_by = The Triumph of the Scarlet Pimpernel

First published in 1927, "Sir Percy Hits Back" is (chronologically) the ninth book in the Scarlet Pimpernel series by Baroness Orczy.

A French language version, translated and adapted by Charlotte and Marie-Louise Desroyses, was also produced under the title "La Vengeance du Mouron Rouge".

Plot summary

Fleurette is a beautiful, innocent country girl who has been protected by her indulgent, wealthy father from the worst horrors of the revolution. Her father Citizen Armand, who she calls Bibi, is frequently away from home because of his exalted position in the government, but he dotes on her and showers her with gifts and affection during his infrequent visits to their house at Los Mas, near Larange.

As Fleurette's mother is dead, she is looked after by Old Louise the housekeeper when Bibi is away. She also spends much time at the Frontenac family farm and is in love with her childhood sweetheart Amédé, the son of the local épicier M'sieu' Colombe. Amédé is now twenty and will soon be leaving the village to become a soldier and fight the English.

On Fleurette's 18th birthday, Bibi comes home to visit and all seems perfect in Fleurette's world. Yet, although the horrors of the Revolution appear far away, in reality they are nearby, for a group of soldiers has arrived in the village to arrest the Frontenac family at their chateau.

When the soldiers arrive at the farm they discover that Madame de Frontenac and her crippled daughter Rose have disappeared. Only Charles de Frontenac, farmer and descendant of a long line of aristocrats, is at the house. They turn the house over looking for his wife and daughter with no success for the Scarlet Pimpernel has beaten them to it.

Meanwhile, oblivious to what is happening at the farm, Fleurette hears a mysterious voice that tells her

"Papers and valuables are behind the panel in Madame's room"

She realises that 'Madame' is Madame de Frontenac and rushes excitedly to the chateau, thinking that the message is from St. Antoine, and that perhaps Madame has mislaid some papers. She arrives at the farm to discover the soldiers have trashed the place. Remembering a secret cupboard that Madame had shown her and Rose, Fleurette takes a wallet, a money-bag and a small casket and hides them in her pockets and under her shawl. She is just about to leave for home when she runs into her father standing by the stables with a tricolour sash around his waist. She gets away without him discovering what she has been doing and gives the items to her lover Amédé to hide in his father's tool shed.

The next day, a group of soldiers arrive to search the Colombe's premises, having been tipped off that the items are there. They find the items and march off with Amédé, M. de Frontenac, and the soldiers who were there before.

It's not long before Fleurette hears that Amédé has been accused of theft and, determined to clear his name, she takes old Louise and searches for her father to explain what really happened in the hope that he can intervene. She eventually finds him down in Orange at the Commission, for her father is none other than Citizen Armand Chauvelin, the arch-enemy of the Scarlet Pimpernel.

Chauvelin may be ruthless and merciless, but it appears that he can also be gentle and caring where Fleurette is concerned. It turns out that the soldiers who took Amédé, M. de Frontenac were actually the 'English spies' and he is terrified of what might happen to Fleurette after he hears her story.

It is not long before Chauvelin's fears come true as Lieutenant Godot, who Chauvelin has threatened to denounce for losing the prisoners to the Scarlet Pimpernel, brings Fleurette in front of the Committee on a charge of treason. To make matters worse there is a witness: Old Louise's daughter Adele who has always resented Fleurette's wealthy lifestyle.

With his daughter apparently trapped by laws that he had helped to create, Chauvelin is determined to save her, thinking even now that if only he can capture the Scarlet Pimpernel, perhaps he would be able to trade the Englishman for his daughter's life. Despite his best efforts to forestall the inevitable process of trial and guillotine from happening to his beloved daughter the day arrives when Fleurette must face condemnation from her own father.

After suffering intense mental anguish for weeks it finally occurs to Chauvelin that he may have to turn to his bitter enemy for help; for surely the Scarlet Pimpernel is the only person who can save Fleurette - but will Sir Percy be willing to help his enemy's child considering Chauvelin's previous treatment of Lady Blakeney?