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Thus it was a peculiar twitch of the maxillary muscles of the left cheek, recognized by a convict who was sent to a review of the Legion of the Seine, which led to the arrest of the lieutenant-colonel of that corps, the famous Coignard; for, in spite of Bibi-Lupin's confidence, the police could not dare believe that the Comte Pontis de Sainte-Helene and Coignard were one and the same man.
And then, for ten years now, Jacques Collin had been the ruling providence of released convicts in Paris, their head, their adviser, and their banker, and consequently Bibi-Lupin's antagonist.
Camusot proceeded to examine the seized papers while awaiting the return of the famous Bibi-Lupin, whose expedition was amazing; for at half-past eleven, the inquiry having begun at ten o'clock, the usher came in to inform the judge in an undertone of Bibi-Lupin's arrival. "Show him in," replied M. Camusot. Bibi-Lupin, who had been expected to exclaim, "It is he," as he came in, stood puzzled.
This came to Bibi-Lupin's ears, and he remembered the plate and the watch and chain stolen at Nanterre. The commissioners of the Mont-de-Piete, and all the receivers of stolen goods, were warned, while Manon la Blonde was subjected to unremitting scrutiny.
It was easy to imagine Bibi-Lupin's surprise when he recognized, in front of him, the gown of Carlos Herrera, which he had so thoroughly studied that morning; he ran on to pass him. Jacques Collin turned round, and the enemies were face to face. Each stood still, and the self-same look flashed in both pairs of eyes, so different in themselves, as in a duel two pistols go off at the same instant.
I hold the power of life and death; I try and condemn them and carry out my sentence without all your formalities. You can see for yourself the results of my authority. I will recover the money stolen from Monsieur and Madame Crottat; I will hand you over one of Bibi-Lupin's men, his right hand, caught in the act; and I will tell you the secret of the Nanterre murders. This is not a bad beginning.
"That venerable priest wants to sit down; send out a chair for him," said he. And so Bibi-Lupin's plot had failed. Trompe-la-Mort, like a Napoleon recognized by his soldiers, had won the submission and respect of the three felons. Two words had done it. Your molls and your blunt your women and your money epitomizing every true affection of man.
"I know all about him," replied Rastignac; "do you suppose there are no other detectives in Paris? I know that since 1830, when he took Bibi-Lupin's place as chief of the detective police, he has given his life a most respectable bourgeois character; the only fault I find is that he overdoes it." "And yet " said the colonel. "He is rich," continued Rastignac, not heeding the interruption.
The public prosecutor went to the door of the Countess' room, and remained there a few minutes; then he turned to Jacques Collin and said: "You have not changed your mind?" "No, monsieur." "Well, then, you will take Bibi-Lupin's place, and Calvi's sentence will be commuted." "And he is not to be sent to Rochefort?" "Not even to Toulon; you may employ him in your service.
He will say to you,'Madame, I have come from the public prosecutor for the things you know of. Stand waiting outside the door, staring about at what is going on in the Flower-Market, so as not to arouse Prelard's suspicions. As soon as you have given up the letters, you can start Paccard and Prudence." "I see what you are at," said Jacqueline; "you mean to step into Bibi-Lupin's shoes.
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