# Chapter XVII explained — Sir Percy Hits Back > Chapter companion for Sir Percy Hits Back by Baroness Orczy. ## What happens Citizen Chauvelin interrogates Lieutenant Godet about the escape of Amédé Colombe, who was rescued by English spies posing as French soldiers. Godet recounts the deception and the subsequent march, while Chauvelin and the committee threaten him with execution unless he redeems himself by tracking down the spies. The chapter highlights the paranoia and brutality of the Revolutionary government, as well as Chauvelin's ruthless determination. ## Themes in this chapter ### Revolutionary Tyranny and Injustice The committee's arbitrary power and the threat of execution for failure highlight the oppressive nature of the Revolutionary government. ### Disguise and Deception The English spies successfully impersonate French soldiers, deceiving Godet and the entire commune of Laragne. ### Class and Social Division Godet, a former notary's clerk, is contrasted with the powerful Chauvelin, illustrating the social hierarchies within the Revolution. ## Character check-ins ### Citizen Chauvelin Presides over the committee, interrogates Godet with cold ruthlessness, and offers him a chance to redeem himself by capturing the English spies. ### Lieutenant Godet The terrified officer who was deceived by the English spies; he recounts his failure and is given a final chance to avoid execution. ### Pochart A member of the committee who questions Godet and later examines the doggerel verse found in Godet's pocket. ### Danou Another committee member present during the interrogation. ### Amédé Colombe The young man who was arrested and then rescued by the English spies; his escape is the subject of the interrogation. ### The Scarlet Pimpernel Implied as the leader of the English spies who orchestrated the rescue of Amédé Colombe. ## Key lines > The victory now was to the most ferocious. After the Girondins, Danton, he, who had ordered the September massacres, two and a half years ago, had had to yield to a more vengeful, more merciless power than his own. The most brutal faction now held power; even Danton, who had orchestrated the September massacres, had been overthrown by an even more ruthless force. _Highlights the escalating violence and paranoia of the Revolution._ > He who would sacrifice friends, brother, sister, child, was the true patriot; the man who stayed his hand in face of a revolting crime that would put a wild beast to the blush, was unworthy the name of citizen of France. A true patriot was expected to sacrifice even family without hesitation; showing mercy was considered unworthy of a French citizen. _Illustrates the extreme ideology of the Terror._ > The State may forgive incompetence once: the second time it will bear the ugly name of treason. The government might overlook a first failure, but a second would be treated as treason. _Chauvelin's warning to Godet underscores the high stakes and lack of leniency._ ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/sir_percy_hits_back_se/chapters/xvii - Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/sir_percy_hits_back_se - All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/sir_percy_hits_back_se/chapters