104 BEYOND THE BLUE MOUNTAINS.

“You are so brave, that I am doing a great deal for you,” said the
sister. “If I am discovered I shall be ruined for ever, but I’d rather
run the risk than let such a dear brave little girl suffer. It is in your
power, Primrose, to save your brother and the other children.”

“What must I do to save them?” asked Primrose. “I will do
anything—anything in the world, kind Silver-wings.”

“You must get back the hats. I cannot tell you where they are;
Tam not allowed. You must find them for yourself. You must get
the five hats which the children took off their heads when they went
into the enchanted baths. When they put those hats on their heads
again they will have power to withstand my sisters, and to fight
against the dreadful Dark Men.”

“ But how can I possibly find the hats?” asked Primrose.

“Have courage and you will succeed,” said Silver-wings. “I must
not stay with you any longer, or I shall be missed.”

She spread out her wings as she spoke, and floated down to the
bottom of the Castle.

“ Now what shall I do?” said Primrose, clasping her hands to her
head. ‘Oh, I do hope the King of the country beyond the Mountains
will help me. Oh, Buttercup, I would do anything in the world to
rescue you! ”

The little girl now descended from the roof by a narrow iron ladder,
and began to search through the different rooms of the Castle. All
those at the top were empty; she entered one after another, and
searched in every cupboard and in every corner for the missing hats.
At last she tried to enter a tiny room near the top of one of the towers.
Here, for the first time, she met with opposition. As she tried to go
into the room numbers of invisible hands pushed her back. She held
on bravely, however—for by this time her fears had completely
vanished.

At last it occurred to her to push against the door with her head
as well as her hands. The moment the brown hat touched the door it
flew open, and Primrose entered the room without any difficulty. The
first thing she saw was a little pile of hats, one lying on top of the
other, on the floor. With a ery of delight she rushed forward and