The Count believed the Jew, that is, he believed that the Jew did not know the truth of the matter, because he was poor and untaught, while the Rabbis all the time most certainly used blood at Passover, only they kept it a secret from the people. And he said as much to the Jew, who, in his turn, believed the Count, because he knew him to be an honorable man. And so it was that he began to have his doubts, and when the Count, on different occasions, repeated the same words, the Jew said to himself, that perhaps after all it was partly true, that there must be something in it--the Count would never tell him a lie! And he carried the thought about with him for some time. The Jew found increasing favor in his master's eyes. The Count lent him money to trade with, and God prospered the Jew in everything he undertook. Thanks to the Count, he grew rich. The Jew had a kind heart, and was much given to good works, as is the way with Jews. He was very charitable, and succored all the poor in the neighboring town. And he assisted the Rabbis and the pious in all the places round about, and earned for himself a great and beautiful name, for he was known to all as "the benefactor." The Rabbis gave him the honor due to a pious and influential Jew, who is a wealthy man and charitable into the bargain. But the Jew was thinking: "Now the Rabbis will let me into the secret which is theirs, and which they share with those only who are at once pious and rich, that great and pious Jews must have blood for Passover." For a long time he lived in hope, but the Rabbis told him nothing, the subject was not once mentioned. But the Jew felt sure that the Count would never have lied to him, and he gave more liberally than before, thinking, "Perhaps after all it was too little." He assisted the Rabbi of the nearest town for a whole year, so that the Rabbi opened his eyes in astonishment. He gave him more than half of what is sufficient for a livelihood. When it was near Passover, the Jew drove into the little town to visit the Rabbi, who received him with open arms, and gave him honor as unto the most powerful and wealthy benefactor. And all the representative men of the community paid him their respects. Thought the Jew, "Now they will tell me of the commandment which it is not given to every Jew to observe." As the Rabbi, however, told him nothing, the Jew remained, to remind the Rabbi, as it were, of his duty. "Rabbi," said the Jew, "I have something very particular to say to you! Let us go into a room where we two shall be alone." So the Rabbi went with him into an empty room, shut the door, and said: "Dear friend, what is your wish? Do not be abashed, but speak freely, and tell me what I can do for you."