The Fairy Tales of Charles Perrault (Wisehouse Classics Edition - with original color illustrations by Harry Clarke). Charles Perrault

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       “This man had the misfortune to have a blue beard”

      Blue Beard returned from his journey the same evening, and said, he had received letters upon the road, informing him that the affair he went about was ended to his advantage. His wife did all she could to convince him she was extremely glad of his speedy return. Next morning he asked her for the keys, which she gave him, but with such a trembling hand, that he easily guessed what had happened.

      “What,” said he, “is not the key of my closet among the rest?”

      “I must certainly,” answered she, “have left it above upon the table.”

      “Fail not,” said Blue Beard, “to bring it me presently.”

      After putting him off several times, she was forced to bring him the key. Blue Beard, having very attentively considered it, said to his wife:

      “How comes this blood upon the key?”

      “I do not know,” cried the poor woman, paler than death.

      “You do not know,” replied Blue Beard; “I very well know, you were resolved to go into the closet, were you not? Mighty well, Madam; you shall go in, and take your place among the ladies you saw there.”