The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1908-05-03
By Anatole France

Just now question suggests ITSELF which ii 10 i'm
circuscribed area of history 10 enter into the bound
less regions OF philosophy Charles Perrault says
that the key Of the little study Wascs
fairy key. which means that il was enchanted-
magic key. lowered with properties contrary 10 the
laws TO be- Now have 20 proofs to the contrary.
master, NJ du Clos des Eunes, member o. the insti-
tute When the supernatural presents Itself the histo
will content myself therefore, by recalling the
unanimous opinion held the subject OF this key bx
all the old biographe-s OF Bluebeard. All AFFIRM that
It fairy key Such testimony IS cf great weight
Besides, this key not she hrst object createdy
with marvellous properties. Tradition abounds with
examples OF fairy swords The sword OF ArthuE was
cording irrefutable OF Jean Cartier.
the proof given BY this INDUSTRIOUS ehronioler Is
~ "a 70 c1e s0gesneF s no ne ra VIst5+ s
I a. So - 40 $3.50 :, "a Ts,-1 .4,f-vs~s NJ
authors admit that there are men fairies who can
change themselves into wolves. =
We will not attempt TO. combat belief 50 long
lived and so widespread. and will beware. OF de-
Gliding whether the kew OF the little study was fairy
terrnins what is own opinion on the subject for
that that II Is worth having :
find ourselves IN proper domain or.
,b iS ~ facts tb arbtsr Of cirestanes When
read that this key was stained with blood; Docu-
It was stained Blood indeed. flowed
in the little study but al time far distant Whistler
could not possibly have been stained win il Whse
criminal wife troubled state took
of blood the steel was simply reflection from The
skies still empurpled with the OF the dawn. N
e Montragoux by glance the key could but per-
his wife had entered the closet In fact he
that the key looked clearer and brighter than
had given II her and fancied that THIS pol
ish could only come from use =.
He Vas somewhat panied. and he said TO his young
wife. with sad smile
MY dear you have entered into the little study.
May there be evil result either you or'to me. J
malign influence is exhaied from that chamber from
which had wishes YOU II YOU in your
subugated by il shall never console myself Par
5o-T One is rrStft OF heu
At these words. although Bluebeard could have
zfrighted her. for his language and demeanor
pressed nothing but melancholy and love- the young
mistress Of Monragoux began erng az the top OF her
voice:
Help. They are killing me-
the agreed upon signal Hearing il. the
Chevaer de Ia Merlus and the two sons OF Nine. de-
Iespoisse were 10 throw themselves upon Bluebeard
and pierce him with their swords
But the chevalier. whom Joan had hidden in ward
room Of the room appeared alone NJ de MOntragOu,
seeing him leap sword in hand placed himself
guard
Joan fed in alright the gallery met her
sister Anne. who not has been said the
Indeed the towers o. the castle had been
endeavorng the OF brothers.
who. pale and trembling dared not risk great
stroke
Joan swift and suppant cried OUT Come come my
Then Pierre and Cosao rushed upon Blueoeard- They
found him kneelng prostr2-e form OF
Her de Ia Merius whom he had cisar-ed. and they
treacherOusly plunged him again and again through
the body long after he dead
Biuebeard left heirs His widow became thu
mistress % all his property. She employed
II IL giving handsome dowry - her sister Anne.
other portion il purchasing eapta-ncies for her
brothers and the remainder in marrying herself
Chevalier de Ia Msrlus, who became a very honest
gentleman soon as he was rich