Chapter 2 - Paris
Even in the bustling streets of Paris, it was not too hard to spot the well-dressed young man making his way through the crowds that thronged around the city's famous shops. He was rather short of stature, but carried himself with a dignified - though, at the moment, a somewhat nervous - air. The young man took out a small piece of parchment, referring to it periodically as he walked throughout the city. He seemed to be trying to reassure himself, or steel himself for something.
"I have to do this," he said to himself.
At length he found his way to a very spacious quarter in the city, home to some of its finest buildings. He went up to the door of one luxurious-looking mansion, rang the doorbell, and was immediately greeted by a guard, who asked him who he was.
"An -" The young man stumbled over his words for a moment, and hid it behind a cough. Then he straightened up and spoke more clearly.
"My name is André. I come from the south of France, and I have traveled a long way to see Monsieur de Tréville."
"Here to become a Musketeer, are ye?" asked the guard, looking him up and down critically. At last he seemed pleased with what he saw – but there was little room for doubt, for the young man had the very air and appearance of a noble - or at least a very wealthy man.
"Yes," said André.
"All right then, please come with me to the lobby." The guard turned and headed inside, with André following. While no one was looking, the young man reached inside his pocket and pulled out a rather battered-looking envelope, as though making sure it was still there.