The Vicomte de Bragelonne · Chapter
The Inventory of Planchet explained
Athos and Raoul visit Planchet's shop in the Rue des Lombards to inquire about d'Artagnan's whereabouts.
What happens
Athos and Raoul visit Planchet's shop in the Rue des Lombards to inquire about d'Artagnan's whereabouts. They find Planchet taking inventory and preparing to retire from trade, having sold his business to a young man who is the cousin of his intended wife, Trüchen. Planchet reveals that d'Artagnan visited him recently and consulted a map of France, which shows an itinerary marked with pins leading south to Cannes. Athos and Raoul deduce that d'Artagnan has gone toward the Mediterranean, near Toulon and Cannes, and decide to seek him on their way to join M. de Beaufort.
Themes in this chapter
Class and Social Mobility
Planchet, a former servant, has risen to become a wealthy shopkeeper and landowner, now retiring to an estate at Fontainebleau and planning to marry Trüchen.
Friendship and Betrayal
Athos and Raoul seek news of d'Artagnan out of loyalty and friendship, while Planchet's discretion about d'Artagnan's mission reflects the bonds of trust among former comrades.
Characters to notice
- Athos
Visits Planchet to inquire about d'Artagnan; examines the map and deduces d'Artagnan's route to Cannes.
- Raoul de Bragelonne
Accompanies Athos; observes the map and comments on Providence connecting their destiny with d'Artagnan.
- Planchet
Taking inventory of his shop; reveals he has sold his business, bought an estate at Fontainebleau, and intends to marry Trüchen; shows Athos the map d'Artagnan used.
- D'Artagnan
Mentioned as having disappeared; his map reveals a journey south to Cannes.
Key passages
““And the chart is there as a proof,” added Planchet, who went to fetch from the neighboring wall, where it was suspended by a twist, forming a triangle with the bar of the window to which it was fastened, the plan consulted by the captain on his last visit to Planchet.”
Planchet retrieved the map d'Artagnan had used, which was hanging on the wall near the window.
Planchet shows Athos the map that reveals d'Artagnan's route.
““I have bought one, Monsieur.” “A little house at Fontainebleau, with something like twenty acres of land round it.””
Planchet has purchased a small estate with about twenty acres of land near Fontainebleau.
Planchet announces his retirement and new property.