In the morning, Athos seems to regret having told d’Artagnan about his past. He pretends that last night’s story was made up. D’Artagnan does not believe this, but he does not know how to say so. As he hesitates, Athos changes the subject.

Athos explains that he has been awake since dawn. He got bored, so he decided to do some gambling. Unfortunately, he lost both his beautiful new horse and d’Artagnan’s. D’Artagnan is horrified, especially when Athos explains that in an attempt to get both horses back, he bet d’Artagnan’s diamond ring and lost it as well. Outraged, d’Artagnan says that Athos had no right to do such a thing, but Athos shushes him and says that he kept gambling, this time offering to give up his lackey, Grimaud, if his opponents won. Ultimately Athos got to keep Grimaud, and he also won back d’Artagnan’s diamond as well as the saddles of both horses.

D’Artagnan is angry at Athos for losing his horse. He plays dice in an attempt to win it back, but when he does win, Athos convinces him to take money instead. D’Artagnan is sorry to lose the horse, but ultimately he gives in. After all, he needs money to find and rescue Madame Bonacieux.

Soon d’Artagnan and Athos set out, riding their lackeys’ horses, to reunite with their friends and return to Paris. D’Artagnan complains that he is jealous of Aramis and Porthos, who still have their beautiful horses from Buckingham. Athos laughs at this, but it is not clear why until they return to their friends. As it turns out, both of them have sold their horses as well. Now all four friends are horseless, but all have kept Buckingham’s beautiful saddles.

When the four friends return to Paris, they learn that they have been called to serve in a war. This means that they all need proper uniforms, expensive weapons, and good, high-quality horses. None of them has enough money to buy a new horse, nor does any of them have a good plan for obtaining the necessary funds.

D’Artagnan is still a soldier among Monsieur des Essarts’ Guards, but he has recently received word that he will be transferred to the Musketeers very soon. Because of this, he is more cheerful than his friends. When he goes off to thank Monsieur de Tréville, the three Musketeers discuss money amongst themselves. Athos points out that they should have nothing to worry about: D’Artagnan is wearing an expensive diamond. If necessary, they can compel him to sell it and buy horses for everyone.