Chapter 41 Summary

D'Artagnan is temporarily separated from his friends, since their regiments are encamped in different locations. One afternoon he is walking outside camp alone when he is fired upon. He escapes safely into camp, but determines the attackers were either soldiers from La Rochelle, emissaries of the cardinal, or Lady de Winter's instruments of revenge. The next day, M. des Essarts tells him the king is looking for volunteers for a dangerous mission which will either kill or distinguish the volunteers. D'Artagnan thanks him, and immediately volunteers. He is to take four men with him, and several step forward. They accomplish their mission, one guard falls, one returns safely to camp, and two have disappeared. D'Artagnan will not return without the fallen man, but as he is retrieving him, he is suddenly shot at by the two soldiers who had disappeared. He pretends to...