The Emperor's Candlesticks

This is an espionage/thriller story by the Hungarian writer best known for ' The Scarlet Pimpernel'. The candlesticks in the title are significant as part of the plot which features Marie Antoinette. The book is an exciting tale of intrigue, espionage, and adventure with two secret agents, on opposite sides, in a race of sorts (each without knowing that the other is on a similar mission).