Chapter 3 A New Adventure for New Friends.
D'Artagnan asked his new friends how he should spend the king's money.
Portos suggested he hire a helper and even brought a suitable candidate by that night a young man named Planchet.
He needed work and took the job as D'Artagnan's assistant.
Each musketeer had someone to help him.
Athos had Grimaud, Porthos had Mosquito, and Eremis had Bozo.
Athos was barely thirty years old, handsome and smart.
Grimaud had served him for several years, and the two men rarely spoke.
Athos could make a small gesture and Grimaud would act.
Porthos was almost the opposite of Athos.
Not only did he talk a lot, but he talked loudly and enjoyed the sound of his own voice.
Porthos knew he wasn't as smart or graceful as Athos.
Instead, he drew attention to himself by buying the most expensive things.
He even dressed Mosquiton in his old but still fancy clothes.
As for Hermes, he had trained to be a priest before becoming a musketeer.
His assistant, Bonzon, wished Eremus would return to his old life.
He would much rather be an assistant to a priest than to a musketeer.
D'Artagnan and the three musketeers quickly became best friends.
When they finally used up the king's money, the four men took turns by buying dinners and looking after one another.
D'Artagnan wanted to do more to help his friends.
One day, while he was thinking of a plan, he heard a light knock on his door.
Planchet let in D'Artagnan's landlord, a man named Bonacieux.
"'I heard you are a courageous young man,' said Monsieur Bonacieux.
"'If that is true, I have a secret I must share.
Perhaps you can help me.'
"'Speak, Monsieur, speak,' said D'Artagnan, sensing that this could be the adventure he was looking for.
"'My wife is a seamstress for the Queen,' Monsieur Bonacieux began nervously.
She is very beautiful.
And?
And she was kidnapped yesterday, Monsieur Bonacieux said.
It happened as she was leaving her workroom.
I don't know who did it, but I suspect a strange man who has been following her for some time.
I think it has to do with politics, some intrigue between the queen and another man.
The Queen trusts my wife, you see, and tells her many secrets that she wouldn't tell anyone else.
My wife sees the Queen every day, and they have become quite close.
I'm afraid my wife may have been trying to help Her Majesty.
Monsieur Bonacieux told D'Entraignan that the Queen was secretly in love with a man from England named the Duke of Buckingham.
The Cardinal was trying to embarrass the King by revealing the Queen's secret.
The Queen had recently learned that someone pretending to be her had contacted the Duke and asked him to come to France.
This was the Cardinal's plan to expose her secret.
Monsieur Bonacieux was sure that his wife had been kidnapped, so that the Cardinal could learn more about the Queen's plans.
Tell me about the stranger who was following your wife, Portagnon said.
He's a noble man of lofty bearing.
He has black hair, eyes that pierce, and a scar on his cheek.
A scar, said D'Artagnan.
Why, that's my man of moon.
So you know him, asked Monsieur Bonathieu, handing over a piece of paper.
I believe he sent me this.
Do not look for your wife, D'Artagnan read.
She will be returned when she is no longer needed.
If you try to find her, she will be lost to you forever.
I have seen you surrounded by musketeers, said Monsieur Bonacieux.
Naturally, I thought you and your friends would be delighted to help the Queen and ruin the Cardinal's plans.
If you help me, I will forgive the three months' rent you still owe.
In fact, you will never need to pay me rent again.
I could even lend you any money you need.
That would be very helpful indeed, said D'Artagnan.
He's there, Monsieur Bonacieux interrupted, standing and pointing at D'Artagnan's window.
It's the man who kidnapped my wife.
D'Artagnan looked out of the window and saw the man from Mont.
This time he will not escape me, D'Artagnan said.
On the way down the stairs he met Athos, Porthos, and Armas, who were coming up to meet him.
The men from Mont, Drignan yelled and ran past them.
