# The Scarlet Pimpernel — Sir Percy Hits Back character guide

> The Scarlet Pimpernel in Sir Percy Hits Back by Baroness Orczy.

**Role:** major

**Also known as:** Scarlet Pimpernel

**First appearance:** 0000-i

## Snapshot

A dandy in filthy woodcutter's rags, he commands nineteen men and a rescue network from a squalid attic while planning to cheat the guillotine again.

## Who they are

Blakeney sits in a greasy French garret, clothes caked in manure and grime, quietly working out how to save a father, mother, and crippled daughter marked for arrest. He is the one to command, with nineteen sworn to obey, and even in vagabond's rags his bearing and low, accustomed voice make obedience instant. The coming drama of the Frontenac family is his problem to solve, and the early chapters turn on whether his nerve and ingenuity can outpace the soldiers already closing in.

## In the story

### [Chapter XVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sir_percy_hits_back_se/chapters/xvii)

Implied as the leader of the English spies who orchestrated the rescue of Amédé Colombe.

### [XXII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sir_percy_hits_back_se/chapters/xxii)

Chauvelin wonders what the Scarlet Pimpernel would do in his situation and dreads the thought of his enemy learning of his sorrow.

### [Chapter XXIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sir_percy_hits_back_se/chapters/xxiv)

Implied as the leader of the rescue; Sir Percy is the Scarlet Pimpernel, orchestrating the plan.

### [XXVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sir_percy_hits_back_se/chapters/xxvii)

Appears as a vision to Chauvelin, mocking him; Chauvelin curses him as his 'evil genius.'

### [XXVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sir_percy_hits_back_se/chapters/xxviii)

Reported to be near Orange; his successful rescue of the Caristie family alarms Chauvelin and spurs him to action.

### [XXXVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sir_percy_hits_back_se/chapters/xxxvi)

Disguised as a grimy giant, he incites the crowd and reveals himself to Chauvelin as Sir Percy Blakeney.

### [Chapter XXXVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sir_percy_hits_back_se/chapters/xxxviii)

Mentioned as the leader of the English league who orchestrated Amédé's rescue and arranged the reunion.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sir_percy_hits_back_se/characters/the_scarlet_pimpernel
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sir_percy_hits_back_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sir_percy_hits_back_se/characters