The Three Musketeers · Chapter
The Utility of Stovepipes explained
Athos, Porthos, and Aramis overhear a secret conversation between Cardinal Richelieu and Milady de Winter through a broken stovepipe.
What happens
Athos, Porthos, and Aramis overhear a secret conversation between Cardinal Richelieu and Milady de Winter through a broken stovepipe. The cardinal commissions Milady to go to London and threaten the Duke of Buckingham with exposure of his intrigues with the queen. Milady also seeks the cardinal's help against her enemies, particularly d'Artagnan, and the cardinal agrees to provide a letter for his arrest. Athos leaves to prepare for their departure, having heard enough.
Themes in this chapter
Deception and Disguise
Milady and the cardinal engage in covert negotiation and plotting, using deception to achieve their political ends.
Power and Politics
The cardinal manipulates state affairs and uses Milady as an agent to threaten Buckingham and control the queen.
Justice and Vengeance
Milady seeks revenge against d'Artagnan and Madame Bonacieux, while the cardinal plans to use assassination as a tool of state.
Characters to notice
- Athos
Overhears the cardinal's conversation with Milady through the stovepipe and decides to leave to prepare for the group's safety.
- Porthos
Plays dice with Aramis while Athos investigates the stovepipe; later listens to the conversation.
- Aramis
Plays dice with Porthos; joins Athos in listening to the cardinal and Milady.
- Cardinal Richelieu
Plans to send Milady to London to threaten Buckingham and agrees to help Milady against d'Artagnan.
- Milady de Winter
Receives instructions from the cardinal to go to London and negotiate with Buckingham; also seeks the cardinal's aid against d'Artagnan.
- D'Artagnan
Discussed as Milady's enemy; the cardinal agrees to have him arrested.
Key passages
“I must have a proof of his connection with Buckingham. A proof? I will have ten.”
Milady boasts she can provide multiple proofs of d'Artagnan's link to Buckingham.
Milady offers to supply evidence against d'Artagnan to the cardinal.
“Life for life, man for man; give me one, I will give you the other.”
Milady proposes a trade: the cardinal's help against d'Artagnan in exchange for her service against Buckingham.
Milady negotiates a quid pro quo with Richelieu.
“You will go to London. Arrived in London, you will seek Buckingham.”
The cardinal instructs Milady to travel to London and meet with the Duke of Buckingham.
Richelieu outlines Milady's mission to threaten Buckingham.