“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.
But these reprieves and your appointment depend on your conduct for the next six months as subordinate to Bibi–Lupin.”
Within a week Bibi–Lupin’s new deputy had helped the Crottat family to recover four hundred thousand francs, and had brought Ruffard and Godet to justice.
The price of the certificates sold by Esther Gobseck was found in the courtesan’s mattress, and Monsieur de Serizy handed over to Jacques Collin the three hundred thousand francs left to him by Lucien de Rubempre.
The monument erected by Lucien’s orders for Esther and himself is considered one of the finest in Pere–Lachaise, and the earth beneath it belongs to Jacques Collin.
After exercising his functions for about fifteen years Jacques Collin retired in 1845.