Blue Beard returned from his journey that very evening. He had received some letters on the way, he said, from which he learned that the business upon which he had set forth had just been concluded to his satisfaction. His wife did everything she could to make it appear that she was delighted by his speedy return.
Sister Anne
On the morrow he demanded the keys. She gave them to him, but with so trembling a hand that he guessed at once what had happened.
'How comes it,' he said to her, 'that the key of the little room is not with the others?'
'I must have left it upstairs upon my table,' she said.
'Do not fail to bring it to me presently,' said Blue Beard.
After several delays the key had to be brought. Blue Beard examined it, and addressed his wife.
'Why is there blood on this key?'