Chapter 15: Men of the Robe and Men of the Sword

Summary

     The plot suddenly jumps back to the dilemma of the Fearsome Four, and to M. de Treville’s admirable efforts to help them. As a reminder, Athos is in jail and d’Artagnan is in trouble for his role in the Mousetrap. Aramis is on leave somewhere for five days (that’s all we know!). M. de Treville, great father-figure that he is, immediately goes to the Lieutenant-Criminal (that really is what he’s called) to find out which jail Athos is in. The unfortunately titled man helpfully tells him Athos’s location. Athos had been questioned and ill-treated as M. Bonacieux had, but he bore it much better and had a solid alibi due to his meal with M. de Treville and M. de Tremoille. Sadly, Athos is still not released, though there is no reason to keep him in jail. 

     So, loyal and persistent M. de Treville secures a meeting with the king, in which the cardinal is also unfortunately present. Clearly, the cardinal has been manipulating the foolish king beforehand, so he is already biased. M. de Treville gives the facts, and tells them Athos’s (real) alibi and d’Artagnan’s (fake, though M. de Treville doesn’t know it!) alibi. The cardinal is very skeptical but does not dare accuse M. de Treville of lying. King Louis XIII tells them that his judges will decide Athos’s case. The cardinal agrees to let Athos be released until his trial. M. de Treville is glad, but suspicious at the cardinal’s generosity. The king eventually dismisses M. de Treville. Ominously, as soon as Treville leaves, the cardinal begins to talk to the king about the Duke of Buckingham.

Reaction

     That was an unnervingly unsubstantial chapter! Yet again, M. de Treville proves that he is a caring, protective father figure to the Fearsome Four, and literally bails Athos out of jail. Meanwhile, the king seems to have fallen more and more under the influence of the cardinal, which is worrying.

     My favorite line is from the irate king to M. de Treville: “‘Gascon-headed man, will you have done?’” Dumas’s constant Gascon references are amusing, even in context.