Summary : Les trois mousquetaires

Alexandre Dumas’s classic adventure novel, Les trois mousquetaires (The Three Musketeers), follows the journey of d'Artagnan, a spirited young Gascon gentleman who travels to Paris with dreams of joining the King's Musketeers. Upon his arrival, a series of misunderstandings leads him to challenge three of the most formidable musketeers—Athos, Porthos, and Aramis—to consecutive duels. However, before the duels can commence, they are interrupted by the guards of Cardinal Richelieu, who attempt to arrest them for illegal dueling. D'Artagnan sides with the musketeers, helping them defeat the guards, which earns him the lifelong friendship and respect of the trio. The plot intensifies as d'Artagnan becomes entangled in court intrigue involving King Louis XIII, Queen Anne of Austria, and the powerful Cardinal Richelieu. The Cardinal seeks to expose an affair between Queen Anne and the English Duke of Buckingham to humiliate the monarchy. When the Queen gifts Buckingham a set of diamond studs, Richelieu convinces the King to demand that she wear them to an upcoming royal ball. To save the Queen’s honor, d'Artagnan and the three musketeers embark on a perilous mission to England to retrieve the studs. Despite facing ambush and separation along the way, d'Artagnan successfully secures the jewelry and returns just in time to thwart the Cardinal's scheme. The conflict deepens with the introduction of Milady de Winter, a beautiful and ruthless agent of Cardinal Richelieu. D'Artagnan uncovers her dark past, learning that she was once married to Athos, who thought she was dead after discovering she was a branded criminal. Seeking revenge against d'Artagnan for exposing her secrets, Milady orchestrates multiple assassination attempts against him. As the Siege of La Rochelle begins, polarizing France and England, Richelieu sends Milady to England to assassinate the Duke of Buckingham, which she successfully executes by manipulating a Puritan officer named Felton. Milady then flees back to France and hides in a convent, where she discovers Constance Bonacieux, d'Artagnan’s beloved. Out of sheer malice and revenge, Milady poisons Constance just before d'Artagnan and the musketeers arrive. Devastated by her death, the four friends track Milady down, capture her, and subject her to a formal trial for her numerous crimes, including the murders of Buckingham and Constance. She is found guilty and executed by a red-cloaked executioner. In the aftermath, Cardinal Richelieu, impressed by d'Artagnan's resourcefulness and bravery, pardons him for his actions and promotes him to the rank of lieutenant in the Musketeers, while the other three musketeers eventually pursue separate paths in life.

In the preface to his adventure novel, the author establishes the historical grounding of his story, assuring readers that despite the mythological cadence of their names, his heroes were real individuals. He reveals that about a year prior, while conducting historical research on the reign of Louis XIV at the Royal Library, he happened upon a rare volume titled the Memoirs of M. d'Artagnan. This fascinating work, published in Amsterdam to bypass the restrictive censorship of the era and avoid the Bastille, immediately captivated him. While the text offered masterfully drawn portraits of major historical figures like Louis XIII, Anne of Austria, Cardinal Richelieu, and Cardinal Mazarin, a seemingly minor detail arrested the author's attention. D'Artagnan noted that during his very first visit to the captain of the musketeers, M. de Tréville, he encountered three unique young soldiers serving in the prestigious corps who bore the highly unusual names of Athos, Porthos, and Aramis. Intrigued by these foreign-sounding pseudonyms, the author suspected they were aliases used to mask illustrious identities or adopted due to personal misfortune, family friction, or financial ruin. Determined to find historical proof of their existence, he embarked on an exhaustive search through a vast catalog of contemporary texts and documents. Just as he grew disheartened by his fruitless efforts and prepared to abandon the investigation, a breakthrough occurred. Guided by the advice of his learned scholar friend, Paulin Paris, the author discovered an obscure, unpublished folio manuscript. This document was titled the Memoirs of the Count de La Fère, which chronicled various political and social events in France toward the end of Louis XIII's reign and the beginning of Louis XIV's rule. Upon examining this manuscript, the author was thrilled to discover explicit references to Athos, Porthos, and Aramis within its opening pages. Recognizing the discovery of an unknown historical manuscript as an incredible asset, he successfully secured permission to publish the material. He notes with some humor that this contradicts critics who claim the government is hostile toward literary figures. Presenting this narrative as the first volume extracted from that precious historical document, the author assumes full accountability for the storytelling, acting as a literary godfather to the work. By bridging the gap between archival research and narrative fiction, he prepares the reader to transition directly into the epic tale of historical intrigue and camaraderie that follows.

In April 1625, the town of Meung erupts into commotion over the arrival of a young man resembling a provincial Don Quixote. Eighteen-year-old d'Artagnan rides a ridiculous, twelve-year-old yellow Béarn pony. Despite his absurd mount and fading wool doublet, his sharp, intelligent Gascon features and a formidable long sword discourage too much overt mockery. D'Artagnan is travelling toward Paris with gifts from his father: fifteen crowns, the pony, parental blessings, and a letter of introduction to M. de Tréville, the prestigious Captain of the King's Musketeers and a former neighbor. His father's parting advice explicitly commanded him to seek out adventure, endure insults from no one except the King and Cardinal Richelieu, and fight duels constantly to make his fortune. His mother additionally provided a miraculous healing salve for his inevitable wounds. Conditioned to interpret every glance as a provocation, d'Artagnan arrives at the Franc-Meunier inn. There, he spots an elegant, pale gentleman in his forties with dark eyes and a trimmed mustache mockingly describing the yellow pony to an amused audience. Heavily insulted, d’Artagnan aggressively confronts the stranger. The gentleman responds with cold, aristocratic disdain, further infuriating the youth. When d’Artagnan draws his sword, the stranger initially treats the challenge as madness, but is forced to draw his own weapon when d'Artagnan lunges. Suddenly, the innkeeper and two onlookers ambush d'Artagnan with sticks, shovels, and tongs. D'Artagnan fights fiercely against the uneven odds but is soon beaten unconscious, and his sword is shattered. While d'Artagnan is carried away to recover, the innkeeper searches his pockets and informs the stranger that the broke youth carried a letter to M. de Tréville. Alarmed that the Gascon might be an agent sent by Tréville to disrupt his secret plans, the mysterious gentleman quickly pays his bill and orders his horse. He wishes to avoid any delay, especially with "Milady" arriving soon. The innkeeper urges a still-dazed d'Artagnan to leave. As the young man stumbles into the courtyard, he spots his antagonist conversing with a beautiful, blonde Englishwoman inside a carriage. D'Artagnan overhears the stranger delivering Cardinal Richelieu's orders for her to return to England and monitor the Duke of Buckingham, handing her a sealed box of instructions. When the lady asks if he will punish the insolent boy, d’Artagnan rushes forward to challenge the stranger again. The gentleman reaches for his sword, but Milady urges him to leave immediately, warning that any delay could ruin their grand design.

M. de Tréville, originally from Gascony, began his career in Paris with nothing but his wits and immense bravery. Thanks to his unwavering loyalty and courage, he climbed the difficult ranks of court favor to become a close friend and trusted confidant of King Louis XIII. This strong royal attachment led to Tréville being appointed captain of the King's Musketeers, an elite legion of devoted soldiers. Concurrently, Cardinal Richelieu established his own rival guard, leading to constant underlying friction between the two entities. Tréville expertly navigated court politics by allowing his rowdy, fiercely loyal musketeers to openly clash with the Cardinal's guards, knowing he could protect them from legal repercussions. As a result, Tréville’s hotel on the Rue du Vieux-Colombier became a bustling hub where provincial gentlemen, soldiers, and schemers gathered daily. When d'Artagnan arrives at the estate to seek an audience, he is overwhelmed by the rowdy environment. In the courtyard, he witnesses soldiers engaging in real, dangerous swordplay on the steps just to determine their order of audience. Moving inside to the antechamber, the provincial youth is shocked to hear the musketeers boldly mocking Cardinal Richelieu's policies and personal life, though they quickly quiet down whenever the King's name is spoken. Fearing he might be viewed as an accomplice to treason, d'Artagnan remains silent and observes his surroundings, waiting for the valet to announce him to the captain. In the center of the crowd, d'Artagnan notices two prominent musketeers who present a striking contrast. The first is Porthos, a large and boastful soldier wearing a magnificent, gold-embroidered shoulder belt over a faded doublet. Porthos proudly claims he bought the accessory with his own funds, though his companions tease him that it was a gift from a wealthy mistress. Porthos turns to his friend Aramis, a gentle, highly refined young man of twenty-two who speaks softly and is currently studying theology. Aramis provides an update regarding the Cardinal's spy, Rochefort, which prompts Porthos to loudly insult Richelieu. The conversation shifts to rumors about the Queen and the Duke of Buckingham, prompting Porthos to reprimand Aramis for pushing boundaries and gossiping about royalty. Porthos references advice from their mutual friend, Athos, warning Aramis to stop trying to be both a soldier and a priest. Tensions rise rapidly as Aramis becomes insulted by Porthos's lecture, and the two friends stand on the verge of drawing swords against one another. Just as the confrontation reaches a critical peak, the valet opens the office door and announces that M. de Tréville is ready to receive d'Artagnan. The room falls silent, allowing the young Gascon to escape the volatile dispute and enter his highly anticipated meeting.

M. de Tréville is in a foul mood when he receives d’Artagnan, but the youth's Gascon accent briefly softens him. Before fully addressing the newcomer, Tréville summons Athos, Porthos, and Aramis into his private office. Once inside, he unleashes a furious tirade, revealing that King Louis XIII threatened to recruit future musketeers from Cardinal Richelieu’s guards. Tréville explains that the Cardinal publicly mocked the musketeers after six of his own guards arrested six of the King's men following a street brawl. Deeply insulted, Tréville demands to know why his elite soldiers allowed themselves to be disgraced, specifically questioning the whereabouts of Athos. Aramis and Porthos attempt to defend their honor by explaining that they were ambushed in a treacherous trap. Porthos adds that two of their companions were killed instantly and Athos was critically wounded, though they still managed to escape captivity rather than surrender. Suddenly, Athos enters the room. Despite being incredibly pale and severely injured from a blade that pierced his chest, he stands tall to show his unwavering devotion to the captain. Moved by this display of loyalty, Tréville praises his men, but the physical toll proves too great, and Athos collapses unconscious on the floor. A surgeon is instantly called to care for him in an adjacent room. Once the frantic crowd disperses and order is restored, Tréville turns his attention back to d’Artagnan. The young petitioner requests a musketeer's uniform, but Tréville explains that royal regulations require an applicant to serve two years in a lesser regiment or perform extraordinary feats of valor first. Wanting to assist the son of his old friend, Tréville offers d'Artagnan free enrollment at the royal academy to master horsemanship, fencing, and dancing. D'Artagnan gratefully accepts but laments the loss of his father's original introductory letter, explaining that it was stolen by a mysterious gentleman during the altercation in Meung. Upon hearing a detailed description of the thief—including a scar on his temple and an association with an Englishwoman named Milady—Tréville recognizes the man as Rochefort, a dangerous agent of the Cardinal. He sternly warns the vengeful youth to avoid this formidable adversary at all costs. Briefly suspicious that d’Artagnan might be a spy sent by Richelieu to infiltrate his inner circle, Tréville tests the young man by falsely claiming that he and the Cardinal are actually close allies. D'Artagnan responds with absolute sincerity, stating that his father explicitly commanded him to respect the King, the Cardinal, and Tréville above all others. Impressed by the youth's intelligence and direct honesty, Tréville casts his doubts aside and warms to his compatriot. He promises that his estate will always remain open to him and sits down to compose the promised letter of recommendation to the academy director.

Furious after leaving M. de Tréville, d'Artagnan rushes down the stairs and accidentally collides headfirst into the wounded musketeer Athos. D’Artagnan attempts to excuse himself by citing his extreme haste, but Athos takes offense at his poor manners and perceived rudeness. The confrontation escalates, prompting Athos to challenge the young Gascon to a duel at noon near the Carmes-Deschaux. Resuming his frantic pursuit of an elusive stranger, d'Artagnan attempts to squeeze past Porthos at the street exit. A sudden gust of wind entangles him in Porthos’s long cloak. While struggling to free himself, d'Artagnan discovers that Porthos's magnificent, seemingly gold-plated shoulder belt is actually cheap leather on the back. To hide this vanity, Porthos wears his cloak constantly. Embarrassed by the exposure, Porthos reacts with fury. D'Artagnan exacerbates the insult by mocking the musketeer’s vanity, resulting in Porthos challenging him to a second duel at one o'clock behind the Luxembourg. Losing all trace of the stranger, d'Artagnan reflects on his precarious situation. Realizing he has scheduled two potentially fatal duels with legendary musketeers before noon, he resolves to behave with utmost courtesy if he survives. Seeing Aramis nearby conversing with some guards, d'Artagnan approaches to demonstrate his newfound politeness. When Aramis accidentally drops a lady's embroidered handkerchief and steps on it to hide it, d'Artagnan tries to be helpful by retrieving it. This well-intentioned gesture publicly compromises Aramis regarding a secret affair with Madame de Bois-Tracy. Despite Aramis's attempts to deny ownership, the guards tease him relentlessly. Once the guards depart, Aramis angrily confronts d'Artagnan for his indiscretion. Tempers flare, and when d'Artagnan accuses Aramis of lying and mocks his ecclesiastical ambitions, Aramis challenges him to a third duel. To avoid the Cardinal's spies, Aramis schedules their meeting for two o'clock at M. de Tréville's hotel, where they will choose a secluded location. Accepting his fate, d'Artagnan heads to his first appointment with Athos, finding solace only in the fact that if he dies, it will be at the hands of a musketeer.

Arriving at the monastery of the Carmes-Deschaux for his noon duel, d'Artagnan expects to face Athos alone, having no friends in Paris to serve as seconds. He resolves to offer honorable excuses to the wounded musketeer but remains prepared to fight fiercely if necessary. Athos is already waiting despite his severe shoulder injury. He explains that his seconds are late, and upon learning that d'Artagnan has no companions of his own, Athos worries that killing the young man will make him look like a brute. He courteously informs the Gascon that he will fight left-handed to accommodate his wound, an act of chivalry that d'Artagnan meets with mutual respect, even offering a miraculous family balm to heal the musketeer. The arrival of Porthos and Aramis as Athos's seconds completely stuns d'Artagnan. The three musketeers discover that the young Gascon has managed to schedule consecutive duels with each of them over separate, private insults regarding a shoulder belt, a handkerchief, and an affronted shoulder. D'Artagnan boldly offers a collective apology, explaining that if Athos kills him first, the other two debts will remain uncollected. Impressed by his wit and bravado, the musketeers prepare for the first duel. Just as the rapiers cross, a squad of the Cardinal’s guards, led by Jussac, interrupts the gathering to arrest them for violating the royal edicts against dueling. Outnumbered five to three, Athos, Porthos, and Aramis refuse to surrender, choosing instead to fight to the death. In a defining moment, d'Artagnan chooses to align himself with the King's faction over the Cardinal's powerful ministry. Despite lacking the uniform, he declares his heart belongs to the musketeers and joins the fray. The fierce skirmish tests the limits of all involved. D’Artagnan engages Jussac, utilizing dynamic agility to wear down the seasoned guard before plunging his sword through Jussac's body. Aramis kills one adversary and subdues another, while Porthos exchanges fierce wounds with Biscarat. Seeing a weakened Athos hard-pressed by Cahusac, d'Artagnan intervenes, skillfully disarming the guard so Athos can deliver the final, lethal blow. With only Biscarat remaining for the guards, the victorious companions surround him. Though fiercely determined to die fighting, Biscarat yields only when the wounded Jussac commands it. He shatters his sword over his knee in defiance rather than surrender it. Respecting their opponent's bravery, the musketeers sheathe their weapons and help tend to the wounded guards. The four companions march triumphantly back to the hotel of M. de Tréville, arm in arm, as d'Artagnan celebrates his successful, blood-soaked initiation into the brotherhood.

Following the monastery victory, M. de Tréville seeks to preempt Cardinal Richelieu by appealing directly to King Louis XIII at his evening card game. Finding the monarch in a winning mood, Tréville strategically frames the clash as self-defense against aggressive Cardinalist guards. Fascinated to hear how three musketeers—Athos, Porthos, and Aramis—alongside a young Gascon cadet defeated five of Richelieu's finest men, the King's pride is stoked. Learning that the youth, d'Artagnan, single-handedly felled the formidable Jussac, King Louis XIII schedules a private audience for all four men the following day at noon via a hidden palace staircase. The next morning, d'Artagnan joins the musketeers for a game of tennis near the Luxembourg stables to pass the time. After a heavily struck ball from Porthos narrowly misses his face, d'Artagnan steps out of the game to watch from the gallery. There, a notorious Cardinalist guard named Bernajoux insults d'Artagnan as a cowardly apprentice, prompting the hot-blooded Gascon to demand an immediate duel in the street. Showing brilliant theoretical skill, d'Artagnan severely wounds Bernajoux in the lung. When Bernajoux's allies ambush him, Athos, Porthos, and Aramis intervene, triggering a massive chaotic street battle involving the household of M. de La Trémouille. The musketeers prevail, but the commotion delays them past noon. Upon returning, Tréville discovers that the Cardinal has already counter-maneuvered, convincing the King to leave Paris for an impromptu hunting trip to Saint-Germain. To regain the upper hand, Tréville visits M. de La Trémouille to resolve the conflict directly. He proposes they interview the bedridden Bernajoux and accept his words as absolute truth. Facing death, Bernajoux honestly confesses that he provoked d'Artagnan and that the musketeers were not the aggressors. Exonerated, Tréville hosts a celebratory dinner for the four companions, where d'Artagnan is praised as the hero of both consecutive days. At six o'clock, Tréville brings the young men back to the Louvre. When the King returns from hunting in a visibly foul mood, he ignores the musketeers entirely and retreats to his chambers. Tréville boldly enters the royal cabinet alone, finding Louis XIII complaining bitterly about a ruined hunt and political fatigue caused by Cardinal Richelieu. The King abruptly channels his irritation into the recent street brawl, angrily accusing Tréville's musketeers of assassinating a man, disrupting an entire neighborhood, and attempting to burn down Paris.

Following the private royal audience, d'Artagnan consults his companions on spending his portion of the forty pistoles awarded by King Louis XIII. Accepting their various recommendations, they enjoy a rich meal at the Pomme de Pin, served by a newly hired Picard valet named Planchet. Though initially expecting grand fortune, Planchet is quickly disillusioned by his master's sparse lodgings, consisting of only antechamber and bedroom. The three musketeers maintain distinctly unique domestic setups and personalities. Athos, a highly reserved, silent aristocrat of roughly thirty, lives in a modest apartment on Rue Férou. He refuses to sell or pawn a highly valuable, gem-encrusted historic sword, a family portrait, and a mysterious locked chest. His valet, Grimaud, obeys strictly through gestures and signs. Porthos lives ostentatiously on Rue du Vieux-Colombier, boasting heavily of high-society romances and an upcoming liaison with a foreign princess. His servant, Mousqueton, wears fine liveries remade from Porthos’s old garments. Aramis occupies a tranquil ground-floor lodging near an impenetrable garden. Intent on eventually joining the priesthood, Aramis avoids worldly disclosures, and his pious valet, Bazin, dresses entirely in black. Curious by nature, d'Artagnan attempts to learn the true identities behind his companions' aliases, but gains little ground. He finds that Porthos is an open, boastful book, while Aramis remains elusive and deeply secretive. Despite their differences, the four young men share a vibrant camaraderie. Athos plays cards unluckily but always honors his debts. Porthos fluctuates between insolent spendthrift behavior when winning and brief reclusive disappearances when losing. Aramis constantly excuses himself from meals to draft academic poetry or run errands for high-born ladies. When the royal money runs low, Planchet begins complaining bitterly. While the other musketeers suggest dismissive or violent measures, d'Artagnan decides to administer a thorough thrashing to command absolute obedience, promising his valet that greater wealth awaits them in the future. Planchet, filled with sudden respect, vows to stay. The inseparable quartet establishes a collective daily routine, gathering at dawn to visit M. de Tréville. Although not a musketeer, d'Artagnan faithfully accompanies his friends during their official guards. Recognizing this dedication, Tréville continuously advocates for the young Gascon. Consequently, the King commands the Chevalier des Essarts to enroll d'Artagnan as a cadet in his guards. Though d'Artagnan accepts the uniform with a sigh, wishing it were a musketeer's cassock, Tréville promises a full promotion after a two-year probationary period, or sooner if d'Artagnan performs a brilliant feat. From the next day onward, Athos, Porthos, and Aramis take turns accompanying d'Artagnan on his new assignments, effectively providing the guardsmen with four soldiers instead of one.

The forty pistoles awarded by King Louis XIII eventually run out, plunging the four companions into severe financial distress. To survive, they rotate spending their personal funds, with Athos paying first, followed by Porthos, and finally Aramis, who resources himself by selling his theology books. When these resources are entirely exhausted, M. de Tréville provides a small advance on their pay, but it offers little relief. In a desperate final attempt to secure funds, Porthos gambles their last few pistoles, only to lose everything along with an additional twenty-five pistoles on credit. Destitution forces the group to scavenge for meals among outside acquaintances. Thanks to the previous generosity of Athos, Porthos, and Aramis, they secure several multi-guest invitations. In contrast, d'Artagnan, a newcomer to Paris, can only offer his friends a meager breakfast with a local priest and one dinner with a guardsman. Feeling deeply humiliated by his inability to reciprocate, d'Artagnan realizes that their fiercely loyal, four-man coalition must actively channel its collective strength toward a greater, world-changing purpose. His reflections are interrupted at four in the afternoon by a gentle knock at the door. Instructing his sleeping valet, Planchet, to open it, d'Artagnan is introduced to a modest, anxious bourgeois visitor who requests a private audience. The man introduces himself as M. Bonacieux, a retired draper and d'Artagnan’s landlord. Bonacieux reveals that his beautiful young wife, a loyal linen-maid to Queen Anne of Austria, was abducted the previous morning. He suspects the kidnapping is deeply rooted in dangerous court politics rather than romance. Through her godfather, M. de La Porte, Madame Bonacieux had learned that Cardinal Richelieu is vindictively persecuting the Queen. The Cardinal has allegedly forged a letter in the Queen's name to lure the English Duke of Buckingham into a trap in Paris, and the perpetrators likely want to interrogate or use Madame Bonacieux to spy on Her Majesty. When Bonacieux describes the high-ranking leader of the abduction—a dark-haired man of noble bearing with a swarthy complexion, piercing eyes, white teeth, and a distinct scar on his temple—d'Artagnan instantly recognizes his hated nemesis, the enigmatic stranger from Meung. Seizing the opportunity for dual vengeance, d'Artagnan listens as Bonacieux shows him a threatening letter warning him to halt his search under penalty of the Bastille. Motivated by three months of unpaid rent, the promise of free future lodging, and a potential gift of fifty pistoles, d'Artagnan commits to the cause. Suddenly, Bonacieux spots a cloaked figure watching the house from across the street. Identifying him as the culprit, d'Artagnan draws his sword and charges downstairs, brushing past Athos and Porthos while shouting that he has found the man from Meung. Fearing the impending violence, Bonacieux swiftly flees the apartment, leaving it completely empty when the two musketeers step inside.

D'Artagnan returns to his lodgings sweating and furious, having lost the mysterious man from Meung, who vanished near an abandoned house. He finds Athos, Porthos, and Aramis gathered there. To celebrate a new business opportunity, d'Artagnan orders a half-dozen bottles of Beaugency wine on credit from his landlord, M. Bonacieux. He then explains the abduction of the landlord's wife and reveals that the kidnapper is the very same adversary from Meung. D'Artagnan firmly believes this crime is directly tied to Cardinal Richelieu's relentless persecution of Queen Anne and a political trap involving the Duke of Buckingham. Aramis adds a crucial piece of information by recounting an event from the previous evening. While escorting a lady away from a theologian's residence in a deserted neighborhood, a distinguished gentleman accompanied by armed guards mistook Aramis for Buckingham and his female companion for the Queen. The guards ordered them into a carriage without resistance, a deception made possible by Aramis's height, large hat, and massive cloak. D'Artagnan realizes that finding Madame Bonacieux is the definitive key to uncovering the wider conspiracy, noting that the Queen likely uses lower-class confidantes to avoid the Cardinal's watchful eyes. Suddenly, a terrified M. Bonacieux bursts into the room, begging for protection from four guards arriving to arrest him. Porthos and Aramis prepare to fight, but d'Artagnan restrains them, prioritizing strategic calculation over brute force. Athos immediately defers to d'Artagnan's leadership. When the guards confront them, d'Artagnan loudly proclaims unyielding loyalty to the King and the Cardinal. He pretends Bonacieux is a complete stranger who merely came to demand overdue rent, and he commands the officers to take the landlord away. Whispering to the bewildered mercier to remain completely silent to save the Queen, d'Artagnan pushes him into custody, jokingly declaring that the arrest will buy him time to pay his debts. To cement the ruse, d'Artagnan shares a friendly toast of the landlord’s wine with the chief officer, Boisrenard, enthusiastically drinking to the King and the Cardinal. Once the guards depart, Porthos expresses deep disgust at their failure to protect a helpless civilian and for socializing with an operative. However, Athos and Aramis highly commend d'Artagnan's brilliant political maneuvering. D'Artagnan then proposes a formal pledge of complete solidarity to secure their partnership against the impending danger. Overcoming Porthos’s lingering confusion, the four companions join hands and passionately swear their legendary motto: "All for one, one for all." D'Artagnan then dismisses his friends, warning them to remain constantly vigilant as they are now officially locked in open opposition against the powerful Cardinal.

The formation of police forces naturally led to the invention of the "mousetrap," a tactic where authorities secretly occupy the home of an arrested suspect to ambush and detain anyone who subsequently visits. Cardinal Richelieu’s agents establish such a trap inside the apartment of the recently arrested M. Bonacieux. Since d’Artagnan lives on the floor above and utilizes a private alleyway, his residence remains exempt from these official searches. Meanwhile, the three musketeers search independently for information but discover nothing. Even Athos breaks his characteristic silence to question M. de Tréville, who only knows that the King is anxious, the Cardinal looks preoccupied, and the Queen’s red eyes betray heavy weeping. Tréville urges the companions to remain fiercely dedicated to serving the King and Queen. D’Artagnan transforms his own room into an observation post, removing his floorboards to peer through the exposed ceiling and spy on the interrogations happening directly below. The agents continuously question detainees about whether the Bonacieux couple passed along items or secrets, leading d'Artagnan to deduce that the Cardinal is desperately trying to confirm if the Duke of Buckingham is in Paris to see the Queen. The following evening at nine o'clock, a fresh visitor falls into the trap below. Hearing a woman resisting a violent search, d'Artagnan listens intently as the captive loudly identifies herself as Madame Bonacieux, a loyal servant to the Queen. Realizing she is being gagged and dragged away, d'Artagnan orders his valet, Planchet, to run and gather the musketeers. Impatient and determined, d’Artagnan leaps from his first-floor window into the street and forces his way into the landlord's apartment with his drawn sword. He easily defeats the four startled captors within ten minutes, sending them fleeing into the night in shredded clothes. D’Artagnan comforts the half-fainting Madame Bonacieux, a charming woman of twenty-five. He notices her drop a fine batiste handkerchief bearing the same crest that nearly sparked his duel with Aramis, and he discreetly slips it back into her pocket. Madame Bonacieux gratefully thanks her rescuer. D'Artagnan informs her that her innocent husband was sent to the Bastille due to a political conspiracy involving a scarred, swarthy kidnapper from Meung. She admits she escaped her own captivity by climbing out of a window using knotted bedsheets. Fearing the guards will return with reinforcements, they flee together to the Place Saint-Sulpice. To aid the Queen, she needs to contact her godfather, M. de La Porte, at the Louvre. D'Artagnan volunteers for the mission, swearing a gentleman's oath of absolute secrecy when she provides the secret password: "Tours and Brussels." He safely hides her in the vacant apartment of Athos on Rue Férou. D'Artagnan rushes to the Louvre, uses the password with the gatekeeper, Germain, and instructs the summoned La Porte to retrieve Madame Bonacieux. Before running off, La Porte prudently advises the young Gascon to establish an alibi for the evening. Taking this advice, d'Artagnan runs to M. de Tréville’s mansion. Slipping into Tréville's private cabinet, he alters the clock back by forty-five minutes. He then conducts a lengthy, composed discussion with his captain regarding his concerns for the Queen and Buckingham, matching Tréville’s own suspicions. After concluding the meeting at ten o'clock, d’Artagnan pretends he forgot his cane, returns to the empty cabinet, and successfully resets the clock to the correct time, securing a flawless alibi.

Following his visit to M. de Tréville, d'Artagnan takes a long, reflective walk home, completely captivated by thoughts of Madame Bonacieux. He views her as a romantic ideal—beautiful, mysterious, and uniquely privy to dangerous court secrets. He envisions receiving love notes, gold chains, or diamonds from her, mirroring the easy morality of the era where young soldiers routinely accepted lavish gifts from their mistresses. D'Artagnan approaches love in Paris like a military campaign, considering the city's wealthy women as prizes to be won. He imagines introducing the charming Constance to his fellow musketeers and hosting lively group dinners, totally forgetting his promise to rescue her imprisoned husband from the Bastille. As eleven o'clock strikes, d'Artagnan finds himself near Aramis’s residence. He decides to stop by to explain why Planchet had summoned him earlier that day, and to eagerly boast of his new conquest. While approaching the house hidden beneath sycamores and clematis, he spots a cloaked woman hesitantly counting the windows. She approaches Aramis's shutter and knocks three times. D'Artagnan hides in a dark stone niche, assuming his hypocritical friend is entertaining a secret lover. When the shutter cracks open, d'Artagnan creeps closer to peer inside. To his utter shock, the person speaking from within the dark room is another woman, not Aramis. The nocturnal visitor pulls a distinctive white handkerchief from her pocket to show the woman inside, who then exchanges it for a second handkerchief before the shutter closes. As the visitor turns away, d'Artagnan recognizes her as Constance Bonacieux. Consumed by jealousy, d'Artagnan follows her, accidentally terrifying the young woman. Constance collapses in fear, but cries out with joy upon recognizing her savior. She claims she has never heard of Aramis and was simply delivering a secret message to the woman lodging there. Refusing to disclose her business, she accepts d'Artagnan’s escort under a gentleman's oath that he will leave her at her destination without spying. They walk arm-in-arm to the Rue de La Harpe, where Constance stops at a hidden door. D'Artagnan passionately confesses his love, but Constance warns him that his persistent curiosity is incredibly dangerous. When d'Artagnan reveals that he recognizes the "C.B." monogram on her embroidered handkerchief—noting it matches a token that nearly caused a duel with Aramis and could stand for Camille de Bois-Tracy—Constance trembles with fear. She implores him to abandon his inquiries for his own safety, stating that knowing her carries the threat of imprisonment or death. As midnight strikes, she begs him on his honor as a soldier to depart. Bound by his promise, d'Artagnan reluctantly bids her farewell and ardently kisses her hand as she knocks on the door, deeply entangled in the perilous court intrigue.