# Citizen Rateau — The Triumph of the Scarlet Pimpernel character guide > Citizen Rateau in The Triumph of the Scarlet Pimpernel by Baroness Orczy. **Role:** supporting **Also known as:** Rateau, old Rateau, asthmatic Rateau **First appearance:** 0000-i-the-everlasting-stars-look-down-like-glistening-eyes-bright-with-immortal-pity-over-the-lot-of-man ## Snapshot An asthmatic old coalheaver whose branded arm makes him the one man in Paris who cannot possibly be the Scarlet Pimpernel. ## Who they are Rateau moves through revolutionary Paris as a humble, wheezing nobody, exactly the sort of figure no one bothers to watch. Yet his branded arm becomes a strange kind of passport: when a frantic prisoner accuses him of being the English spy in disguise, Chauvelin dismisses the charge out of hand, certain such a man could never be his quarry. That very certainty makes Rateau a quietly useful piece on a board where everyone is hunting the Pimpernel. ## Relationships ### [Citizen Chauvelin](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_triumph_of_the_scarlet_pimpernel_se/characters/citizen_chauvelin) _professional_ Chauvelin employs Rateau as a loyal spy and assistant in his revolutionary investigations. ### [Citizen Chauvelin](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_triumph_of_the_scarlet_pimpernel_se/characters/citizen_chauvelin) _professional_ Chauvelin employs Rateau as a loyal spy and assistant in his revolutionary investigations. ### [Citizen Chauvelin](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_triumph_of_the_scarlet_pimpernel_se/characters/citizen_chauvelin) _professional_ Chauvelin employs Rateau as a loyal spy and assistant in his revolutionary investigations. ## In the story ### [The Fellowship of Grief](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_triumph_of_the_scarlet_pimpernel_se/chapters/iii-the-fellowship-of-grief) A giant suffering from asthma, waiting at Théot's; later collapses near the church porch and is aided by Régine. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_triumph_of_the_scarlet_pimpernel_se/chapters/ii) The asthmatic giant who struggles to breathe in the stuffy room, argues with Langlois, and leaves for fresh air. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_triumph_of_the_scarlet_pimpernel_se/chapters/iv) The asthmatic vagabond who speaks of his military service and his hope for a cure from Mother Théot. ### [One Dram of Joy Must Have a Pound of Care](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_triumph_of_the_scarlet_pimpernel_se/chapters/iv-one-dram-of-joy-must-have-a-pound-of-care) The asthmatic giant who follows Régine and later emerges from the church; his cough is noted by the National Guard. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_triumph_of_the_scarlet_pimpernel_se/chapters/ii) The asthmatic man who emerges from the church and shuffles toward the Rue de la Planchette. ### [Rascality Rejoices](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_triumph_of_the_scarlet_pimpernel_se/chapters/v-rascality-rejoices) Asthmatic citizen who knocks Bertrand down with a blow to the head, silencing his tirade. ### [Chapter II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_triumph_of_the_scarlet_pimpernel_se/chapters/ii) An asthmatic mudlark who recounts a brief encounter with Robespierre and later hurls bread at Bertrand. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_triumph_of_the_scarlet_pimpernel_se/chapters/iv) Interrupts Bertrand's speech by knocking him down with a blow. ### [VI: One Crowded Hour of Glorious Life](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_triumph_of_the_scarlet_pimpernel_se/chapters/vi-one-crowded-hour-of-glorious-life) The giant who appears on a balcony, hurls dummy bundles into a brazier, and then vanishes, fooling the crowd. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_triumph_of_the_scarlet_pimpernel_se/chapters/i) The mob's spokesman who disappears mysteriously during the rescue. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_triumph_of_the_scarlet_pimpernel_se/chapters/ii) The giant who vanishes, reappears on a balcony, hurls dummy bodies into a brazier, and then disappears, fooling the crowd and Robespierre. ### [Two Interludes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_triumph_of_the_scarlet_pimpernel_se/chapters/vii-two-interludes) Mentioned as the supposed giant; Langlois claims he was drunk and snoring at Mother Théot's, not at the fraternal supper. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_triumph_of_the_scarlet_pimpernel_se/chapters/ii) Mentioned as the supposed hero of the adventure, but Langlois asserts he was asleep at Mother Théot's antechamber. ### [The Nest](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_triumph_of_the_scarlet_pimpernel_se/chapters/xv-the-nest) Mentioned as the asthmatic coalheaver whom Percy impersonates to confuse his enemies. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_triumph_of_the_scarlet_pimpernel_se/chapters/i) Mentioned as the asthmatic coalheaver whom Percy impersonates. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_triumph_of_the_scarlet_pimpernel_se/chapters/ii) The old cripple who discards his disguise after Theresia leaves, revealing he is not actually disabled. ### [Mice and Men](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_triumph_of_the_scarlet_pimpernel_se/chapters/xxiii-mice-and-men) Asthmatic coalheaver who frequents Mother Théot; suspected of being in touch with the English. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_triumph_of_the_scarlet_pimpernel_se/chapters/iii) The asthmatic coalheaver who frequents Mother Théot's, suspected of still being in contact with the Englishman; his laughter unnerves Chauvelin. ### [XXIV: By Order of the State](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_triumph_of_the_scarlet_pimpernel_se/chapters/xxiv-by-order-of-the-state) Rateau is mistaken for the Scarlet Pimpernel by Chauvelin, who attacks and nearly kills him. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_triumph_of_the_scarlet_pimpernel_se/chapters/ii) Mentioned as the guise assumed by the Scarlet Pimpernel; the asthmatic persona is part of the deception. ### [The Rue de la Planchette](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_triumph_of_the_scarlet_pimpernel_se/chapters/iii) Rateau is found lying on the floor, struggling to breathe and coughing; he is lifted up by the National Guard and propped on a barrel, weak and cursing. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_triumph_of_the_scarlet_pimpernel_se/chapters/iv) The helpless coalheaver who is to be branded while drunk. ### [The Close of the Second Day](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_triumph_of_the_scarlet_pimpernel_se/chapters/xxix-the-close-of-the-second-day) The asthmatic coalheaver, branded with an 'M', reports seeing Theresia with the Englishman and offers to show evidence of the spy's disguises at her lodgings. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_triumph_of_the_scarlet_pimpernel_se/chapters/i) Branded coalheaver who offers to betray Theresia Cabarrus in exchange for payment and protection. ### [XXX: When the Storm Burst](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_triumph_of_the_scarlet_pimpernel_se/chapters/xxx-when-the-storm-burst) Mentioned as the asthmatic coalheaver accompanying the soldiers during the raid. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_triumph_of_the_scarlet_pimpernel_se/chapters/iii) Identified as the asthmatic coalheaver accompanying Chauvelin and the soldiers. ### [Our Lady of Pity](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_triumph_of_the_scarlet_pimpernel_se/chapters/xxxi-our-lady-of-pity) The coalheaver who led Chauvelin to the letters; revealed to be the Scarlet Pimpernel in disguise, he escapes detection. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_triumph_of_the_scarlet_pimpernel_se/chapters/i) The coalheaver who informed Chauvelin of the letters and testifies against Theresia. ### [Chapter II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_triumph_of_the_scarlet_pimpernel_se/chapters/ii) Rateau is the coalheaver whom Theresia accuses of being the Scarlet Pimpernel; he gestures for her silence. ### [The Whirlwind](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_triumph_of_the_scarlet_pimpernel_se/chapters/xxxiv-the-whirlwind) Found resting at the gate by Chauvelin, who kicks him; he bears the branded 'M' on his arm. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_triumph_of_the_scarlet_pimpernel_se/chapters/ii) Mentioned indirectly through the sound of wooden shoes and an asthmatic cough, suggesting his presence among the jailers. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_triumph_of_the_scarlet_pimpernel_se/chapters/iv) A branded man resting at the Porte St. Antoine, kicked by Chauvelin, then reveals Chauvelin's soldiers to Barras out of revenge. ### [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_triumph_of_the_scarlet_pimpernel_se/chapters/vii) Waits on the Blakeneys with his mother, now enriched for their service. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_triumph_of_the_scarlet_pimpernel_se/characters/citizen_rateau - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_triumph_of_the_scarlet_pimpernel_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_triumph_of_the_scarlet_pimpernel_se/characters