Jacques Collin’s behavior and the tone in which he spoke denoted a crisis, and he was curious to know the meaning of it.
On being thus suddenly and miraculously recognized, Corentin drew himself up like a snake when you tread on its tail.
“Yes, it is I, my dear Abbe Carlos Herrera.”
“And are you here,” said Trompe-la-Mort, “to interfere between monsieur the public prosecutor and me?
Am I so happy as to be the object of one of those negotiations in which your talents shine so brightly?
— Here, Monsieur le Comte,” the convict went on, “not to waste time so precious as yours is, read these — they are samples of my wares.” And he held out to Monsieur de Granville three letters, which he took out of his breast-pocket. “And while you are studying them, I will, with your permission, have a little talk with this gentleman.”
“You do me great honor,” said Corentin, who could not help giving a little shiver.
“You achieved a perfect success in our business,” said Jacques Collin. “I was beaten,” he added lightly, in the tone of a gambler who has lost his money, “but you left some men on the field — your victory cost you dear.”
“Yes,” said Corentin, taking up the jest, “you lost your queen, and I lost my two castles.”
“Oh!
Contenson was a mere pawn,” said Jacques Collin scornfully; “you may easily replace him.
You really are — allow me to praise you to your face — you are, on my word of honor, a magnificent man.”
“No, no, I bow to your superiority,” replied Corentin, assuming the air of a professional joker, as if he said,
“If you mean humbug, by all means humbug! I have everything at my command, while you are single-handed, so to speak.”
“Oh! Oh!” said Jacques Collin.
“And you were very near winning the day!” said Corentin, noticing the exclamation. “You are quite the most extraordinary man I ever met in my life, and I have seen many very extraordinary men, for those I have to work with me are all remarkable for daring and bold scheming.
“I was, for my sins, very intimate with the late Duc d’Otranto; I have worked for Louis XVIII. when he was on the throne; and, when he was exiled, for the Emperor and for the Directory.
You have the tenacity of Louvel, the best political instrument I ever met with; but you are as supple as the prince of diplomates.
And what auxiliaries you have!
I would give many a head to the guillotine if I could have in my service the cook who lived with poor little Esther. — And where do you find such beautiful creatures as the woman who took the Jewess’ place for Monsieur de Nucingen?
I don’t know where to get them when I want them.”
“Monsieur, monsieur, you overpower me,” said Jacques Collin. “Such praise from you will turn my head ——”
“It is deserved.
Why, you took in Peyrade; he believed you to be a police officer — he!
— I tell you what, if you had not that fool of a boy to take care of, you would have thrashed us.”
“Oh! monsieur, but you are forgetting Contenson disguised as a mulatto, and Peyrade as an Englishman.
Actors have the stage to help them, but to be so perfect by daylight, and at all hours, no one but you and your men ——”
“Come, now,” said Corentin, “we are fully convinced of our worth and merits.
And here we stand each of us quite alone; I have lost my old friend, you your young companion. I, for the moment, am in the stronger position, why should we not do like the men in l’Auberge des Adrets?
I offer you my hand, and say,
‘Let us embrace, and let bygones be bygones.’
Here, in the presence of Monsieur le Comte, I propose to give you full and plenary absolution, and you shall be one of my men, the chief next to me, and perhaps my successor.”
“You really offer me a situation?” said Jacques Collin. “A nice situation indeed! — out of the fire into the frying-pan!”
“You will be in a sphere where your talents will be highly appreciated and well paid for, and you will act at your ease.
The Government police are not free from perils.
I, as you see me, have already been imprisoned twice, but I am none the worse for that.
And we travel, we are what we choose to appear. We pull the wires of political dramas, and are treated with politeness by very great people. — Come, my dear Jacques Collin, do you say yes?”
“Have you orders to act in this matter?” said the convict.
“I have a free hand,” replied Corentin, delighted at his own happy idea.
“You are trifling with me; you are very shrewd, and you must allow that a man may be suspicious of you. — You have sold more than one man by tying him up in a sack after making him go into it of his own accord.
I know all your great victories — the Montauran case, the Simeuse business — the battles of Marengo of espionage.”
“Well,” said Corentin, “you have some esteem for the public prosecutor?”
“Yes,” said Jacques Collin, bowing respectfully, “I admire his noble character, his firmness, his dignity. I would give my life to make him happy.
Indeed, to begin with, I will put an end to the dangerous condition in which Madame de Serizy now is.”
Monsieur de Granville turned to him with a look of satisfaction.
“Then ask him,” Corentin went on, “if I have not full power to snatch you from the degrading position in which you stand, and to attach you to me.”
“It is quite true,” said Monsieur de Granville, watching the convict.
“Really and truly!
I may have absolution for the past and a promise of succeeding to you if I give sufficient evidence of my intelligence?”
“Between two such men as we are there can be no misunderstanding,” said Corentin, with a lordly air that might have taken anybody in.