“Blue Beard.” The Sleeping Beauty and Other Fairy Tales from the Old French, Quiller-Couch, A. T, New York: Hodder and Stoughton, 1910, pp. 27-46.

Tale Summary

A rich gentleman called Blue Beard is unable to find a new wife due to his unusual beard and rumors about his missing wives. Through lavish entertainment, a maiden named Fatima decides to marry him. He gives his wife a set of keys to all the treasures in the house, commanding her not to use the smallest key, and leaves for business. Her curiosity gets the best of her and she opens to door to discover his murdered wives, dropping the key. The magical key cannot be cleaned, and when Blue Beard returns and sees it stained with blood, he decides to kill her. She persuades him to let her pray first, and her sister signals their brothers for help. They kill Blue Beard, his widow inherits his wealth, and she eventually marries again and lives happily ever after.