He caught sight of her as she leaned over, clinging to the balustrade; and called up cheerfully that he had received letters on the road with news that his journey was after all unnecessary—the business he went about had been settled, and to his advantage. Still shaking in every limb, Fatima crept downstairs to give him greeting. She ordered supper to be prepared in haste; and while he ate, forced herself to ask a hundred questions concerning his adventures. In short she did all she could to give him proof that she was delighted at his speedy return.
Next morning, having summoned her to attend him on the terrace, he asked her to render back the keys; which she gave him, but with such a trembling hand that he easily guessed what had happened.
'How is this? 'said he. 'Why is not the key of my closet among the rest?'
'I must have left it upstairs on my table,' said Fatima.
'Fetch it to me at once,' said Blue Beard. 'At once, and without fail.'
She went, and after a while returned, protesting that she could not find it.
'Go back and seek again,' commanded Blue Beard, dangerously calm.
After going backwards and forwards several times, she could pretend no longer, but brought him the key. Blue Beard examined it closely, and demanded—
'How came this blood upon the key?'
'I do not know,' answered poor Fatima, paler than death.