"But I must have it," said Bluebeard; "go again and look more carefully
for it. Certainly you cannot have lost it."

So back to the chamber went the terrified woman, and, seeing no hope of
escape, she carried the key down to her waiting husband.

Bluebeard took the key, and looking at it closely, said to his wife,
"Why is this blood spot on the key?"

"I do not know," said the wife, faintly.

"You do not know!" said Bluebeard. "Well, I know. You wanted to go to
the little room. Very well; I shall see that you get there and take your
place with the other ladies."

In despair the young woman flung herself at his feet and begged for
mercy, repenting bitterly of her curiosity. Bluebeard turned a deaf ear
to all her entreaties and was not moved in the least by her piteous
beauty.

"Hear me, madam. You must die at, once," he said.

"But give me a little time to make my peace with God," she said. "I must
have time to say my prayers."

"I will give you a quarter of an hour," answered Bluebeard, "but not a
minute more."

He turned away, and she sent for her sister, who came quickly at her