Set against the fevered backdrop of revolutionary Paris in September 1792, a daring English aristocrat watches the chaos unfold from a distance, his mind already plotting daring rescues. He gathers a secret band of loyal friends, each assuming ordinary identities while secretly orchestrating bold escapades to smuggle French nobles out of the guillotine’s reach.
The story follows his enigmatic alter ego, known only by a vivid red flower, as he slips into the shadows of London’s taverns and the French countryside. With witty dialogue, clever disguises, and narrow escapes, the narrative weaves suspense and humor, revealing a world where honor and deception walk hand in hand.
At its heart, the tale is a thrilling cat‑and‑mouse game between a charismatic hero and the relentless agents of the Republic, offering listeners a blend of romance, intrigue, and daring heroism that captures the spirit of an age on the brink of terror.
Language
en
Duration
~5 minutes (4K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Release date
2009-05-01
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

1865–1947
Best known for creating the masked hero of The Scarlet Pimpernel, this Hungarian-born British writer helped shape the adventure and mystery stories readers still love today. Her fiction mixed romance, danger, and quick wit in a way that made it hugely popular in the early 1900s.
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