Chapter 9: D’Artagnan Shows Himself

Summary

     D’Artagnan enters the room, looking angry, about half an hour later. He tells the assembled Musketeers that the fancy-pants letter thief slipped away again like a ghost! Amusingly, Athos promptly asks Porthos if he believes in ghosts. Porthos does not, but Aramis chides him for saying so, reminding him a ghost is mentioned in the Bible. The three argue irrelevantly about this matter until d’Artagnan brings the topic back to the thief. Since it is determined that d’Artagnan has once again lost the thief, he begins to tell his friends about his conversation with Bonacieux. He also sends Planchet downstairs to get some fancy wine for the Fearsome Four, airily telling the others that Bonacieux will do them many favors now. He instructs Planchet to only accept the best wine. While the wine is on its way, d’Artagnan tells the Musketeers about his deal with Bonacieux. They then gossip about the Queen’s supposed love for the Duke of Buckingham, and all agree that he is a noble gentleman. Porthos adds that he has an excellent and expensive sense of fashion.

     Aramis then relates an adventure he had when he was mistaken for the duke, and the lady with him was mistaken for the Queen. He tries to make it very clear that he was at her father’s house to study theology, but it is obvious he is fudging the truth a bit, especially when he has to admit he was in disguise when he left the house. The other three burst out laughing when they realize that Aramis is badly concealing a love affair with a woman. Porthos, especially, keeps making fun of his feeble excuses. This nice chat is rudely interrupted when the poor landlord comes flying into their room without even knocking, screaming wildly that he is going to be arrested. Four of the cardinal’s guards follow him, probably wondering if they really have to fight the Musketeers again. Interestingly, d’Artagnan takes charge and allows the man to be taken away, pretending he supports the cardinal in front of the guards. 

     After the guards drag poor Bonacieux off, Porthos grumbles loudly at d’Artagnan. But Athos and Aramis tell him to go along with the charade. D’Artagnan thinks that he and his friends must be free of suspicion for them to rescue Bonacieux and his wife. If they fought the guards, they would likely be in trouble again with the king. Well, that actually makes sense. This king did tell them not to have any more fights in the near future! The chapter closes with the Fearsome Four agreeing to save the landlord’s wife. And the three Musketeers agree that d’Artagnan is to be the leader since he is clever and talented. Or as Athos puts it, he has a “long head.” In fact, they all swear allegiance to him, and he tells them to adjourn for the day, and remember that they are now enemies of the cardinal officially. D’Artagnan acts like he was born to lead.

Reaction

     Short chapter! Well, it jogs along the plot and surprisingly establishes d’Artagnan – d’Artagnan! – as the leader of the Fearsome Four. For goodness sake, this guy has no impulse control! But then again, in this chapter he seems extremely prudent. And he is good at giving orders and making decisions, so hopefully he will keep his temper in check and all will be well. This chapter also gives the Fearsome Four a signature jingle: ‘All for one, and one for all!’

     My favorite line is from Porthos, about the Duke of Buckingham: “‘…he dresses as nobody else can,’ said Porthos. ‘I was at the Louvre on the day when he scattered his pearls; and, pardieu, I picked up two that I sold for ten pistoles each.’” Pardieu indeed, Porthos! With all the pearls and hobos you pick up, the Fearsome Four will end up super rich and lazy!