The Scarlet Pimpernel

I loved my college library, but the local library was much more fiction-filled and more peaceful for reading.  They also had a little room full of items they were selling for cheap.  While I was in there, two college guys came in and started looking around.  One found a copy of The Scarlet Pimpernel and started telling his buddy what a great book it was, that he had read it in high school and it was full of adventure and intrigue.  While his friend took little interest in the book, I was impressed by how much the first guy liked it and committed to reading it.  I had seen two movie versions and the play, so I was familiar with the story, but had never read it.  Later I found a copy and checked it out of the library (I love reading books for free!) and found out that guy who had read it was right:  the book is amazing!  AND that the movies/play stop about half-way through the book, when the real adventure is just beginning...