The Return of Dogtanian

Some time has passed when we again meet the Muskehounds living a life of leisure. A messenger brings to each Muskehounds a letter asking them to go to an Inn.

The Muskehounds go to see their captain, M. de Treville, but he tells them he has been unable to make the King change his mind.

The Muskehounds enter the King's private office for their audience, but our friends leave with their hopes dashed. Pantuflo gives Pip a heavy supper.

Pom tells D'Artacan about his meeting with the imprisoned King. Dogtanian sends for the three muskehounds and they head for the monastery.

The King decides to disguise himself as a Muskehound, so that no one will recognise him, and to avoid a possible second kidnap attempt.

Rofty, Dogtanian's faithful horse, is getting old, which worries our hero, who does not want to change him for a younger horse.

The King has fallen ill. Exili deduces what kind of poison has been administered. They have to prepare an antidote.

The King is expecting a visit from the Count of Bavaria. Bonguau informs Blancbec about the important visit, and Blancbec hatches a scheme to spoil the King's plans.

Dogtanian, knowing that they have been spied on, talks to De Treville and then to the King about changing their plans.

Blancbec, dressed as King, receives the Count of Bavaria at the frontier. He immediately starts to treat him haughtily and rudely.

Dogtanian succeeds in telling the King about the critical situation. The only solution is for the real King to go to the frontier and speak to the Count of Bavaria.

Dogtanian, the Three Muskehounds and the King (disguised) accompany the Count of Bavaria and his retinue to Paris.

Dogtanian, the Three Muskehounds, and the King disguised as "The fifth Muskehound", ride towards Paris. When they arrive, they are intercepted by Widimer and the Cardinal's guards.

With the intention of discrediting the King and inciting the people to rebel, Blancbec persuades the nobility of a province to raise excessive and unfair taxes from their subjects.

The Muskehounds arrive in a village of the province, where they are able to confirm that the peasants were living in total poverty.

Bonguau proposes a cunning plan to the local nobles for capturing Pedigreen – they will pretend to lower taxes and give more freedom to the peasants.

Bonguau decides to bring his men, and together with the soldiers of the villainous nobles, they form a sizeable army.

Dogtanian and the Muskehounds are summoned to the Palace where they are given the task of escorting Lady Dalma, the King's cousin on her way from Italy to spend time at the court.

The King holds a banquet to celebrate the arrival of Lady Dalma at the Palace. The masked man in black slips into the party and steals some extremely valuable jewels.