'Red Judah!' It was like the growl of ten thousand tigers. Some even precipitated themselves upon the writhing wretch.
'Back! back!' cried Ben Amram. 'The Almighty has smitten him.'
'"Vengeance is mine, saith the Lord,"' quoted the Rabbi solemnly.
'Hallelujah!' shouted a frenzied female voice, and 'Hallelujah!' the men responded in thunder.
'Red Judah had no true belief in the God of Israel,' the physician went on.
'May he be an atonement for us all!' interrupted the Cantor.
'Amen!' growled the congregation.
'For a hundred roubles and the promise of personal immunity Red Judah allowed Maimon the Meshummad to change the bottles while all Israel sat at the Seder. It was because the mob saw the Meshummad stealing out of the synagogue that they fell upon him for a pious Jew. Behold, brethren, how the Almighty weaves His threads together. After the repentant sinner had confessed all to me, and explained how the Cossacks were to be sent to catch all the community assembled helpless in synagogue, I deemed it best merely to get the bottles changed back again. The false bottle contained only bullock's blood, but it would have sufficed to madden the multitude. Since it is I who have the blessed privilege of supplying the Consecration wine it was easy enough to give Maimon another bottle, and armed with this he roused the Shamash in the dawn, pretending he had now obtained true human blood. A rouble easily procured him the keys again, and when he brought me back the bullock's blood, I awaited the sequel in peace.'
'Praise ye the Lord, for He is good,' sang the Cantor, carried away.
'For His mercy endureth for ever,' replied the congregation instinctively.