Chapter 44 Summary

The room where the landlord has placed the Musketeers happens to be in the process of having its stove updated. The old stove is still there, and is disconnected from its funnel, which disappears into the wall. Athos is pacing the room, and eventually becomes conscious of the fact that each time he passes the open end of the funnel, he can hear conversation from the room above. He begins to listen, and hears the cardinal refer to his companion as "My Lady." When he hears the woman's voice, he is startled. He beckons the other Musketeers to shut the door and come listen with him. The cardinal instructs Lady de Winter to go to Buckingham, who is conspiring to come to the aid of the town against which the cardinal is holding siege. Lady de Winter is to threaten him with the...