ing the
castle. Look!" She pointed proudly to a square of twigs and leaves
around the garden seat. "Come on, Sally Ann. We can play it now and use
Mamma's keys."

"Wait dar! Whar'd I put my s'wode?" And Sally Ann snatched up her
dangerous weapon and thrust it into a rope around her waist. "Now I'se
ready fo' killin' folks."

"But we have to begin where Blue Beard goes away on a journey," Virgie
cried. "Susan Jemima, you sit there on the bench and clap your hands.
Get up, Mamma. Go ahead, Sally Ann!"

"'Ooman," said Sally Ann, strutting up to her mistress and frowning
terribly. "I'se gwine away fer a night an' a day. Dese yere is de keys
to de castle."

"Yes, sir," was the meek response.

Sally Ann Blue Beard pointed to an imaginary door halfway between them
and where Virgie sat on the steps, wriggling with delight. "You kin look
in ev'ry room in de house--castle, I means--'cept in des dat one.
Orn'estan me? _Des dat one!_ But ef yo' looks in _dar_,--Gawd he'p you.
I gwine cut yo' haid off," and the fearful sword whizzed threateningly
through the air. "Fyarwell--fyarwell."

"Farewell, my lord," said Mrs. Cary, and then in a whisper, as Blue
Beard stalked away to hide behind a tree. "What _do_ we do now?
_Quick_!"

"Now I come in," cried Virgie. "I'm 'Sister Anne' that looks for the
horseman in the cloud of dust." And jumping up, the child managed to
change the tones of her voice in a surprising manner.

"Good morning, fair sister. Blue Beard has gone away, and now we can
look in his secret room."

"No, Sister Anne, No! I dare not," and Mrs. Fatima shrank back full of
fear from the imaginary door. "Urge me no more. I am afraid."

"But, Mother," cried Virgie, with a little squeal of disappointment.
"You _have_ to. It's part of the play," and she led her up to the
invisible door.

"Now look in--and when you look--drop the keys--an' we'll both scream."

Slowly the door seemed to open and, after an instant's terrified
silence, both actresses screamed with complete success. Whereupon Mrs.
Fatima dropped to her knees and Sister Anne hugged her tight.

"It's blood. It's the blood of his seven wives. O-o-o-e-e-e!"

A great roar sounded in their ears.

"Mercy! What's that?" cried the terrified Mrs. Fatima.

"It's Blue Beard. He's coming back," whereupon Virgie immediately left
Mrs. Fatima to face her fate alone.

Having spent a night and a day behind the tree, Blue Beard now rushed
upon the castle and roared