In his home village near Tarbes, the young D'Artacan dreams of being an expert swordsman and a member of the famous Muskehounds.

On his journey to Paris, D'Artacan is insulted by a man with a black mustache, who then gallops off; the man, subsequently, returns to rob D'Artacan of his letter of introduction.

D'Artacan is unable to get to see M. de Treville without his letter of introduction; penniless, he has to sleep in the street.

Juliette's uncle allows Dogtanian to stay with them; Athos fights the Cardinal's guards barehanded.

On his way to see Monsieur Treville about joining the musketeers, Dogtanian finds him intervening in a confrontation between Aramis, Athos and some guards; Widimer finds Dogtanian and chases after him.

D'Artacan manages to offend each of the Three Muskehounds in turn; he has to fight a duel against each of them, but the first duel is broken up by Widimer and the guards.