, "she is not in here, I am sure."

But to his surprise his cap, which up to that time had not been able to
tell him anything, suddenly told him that she was in there.

He stepped forward into the room cautiously and tried to look about,
but it was so dark that he could only dimly see some articles of
furniture that were very close to him.

On the further side, however, on the floor he saw a streak of light,
and making his way over to it found that it came under a door. This
door was not locked either, and he opened it far enough to see that the
light was shining down a long hallway from a door at the other end of
it. Seeing and hearing nothing, he crept down the hall until he came
to the other door, which was even lower than the first. The door was
open, but was hung with heavy curtains. He peered in, but could not
see anyone. The room was very comfortable looking, with easy chairs,
books and a piano, and on a small table lay some needlework in a basket.

While he stood considering whether he dare venture into the lighted
room he heard the sound of voices, and then advancing through the room
he beheld the Old Witch herself, accompanied by the witch who had been
Queen of Shells.

Instantly he turned and fled down the long hall and back into the
little dark room, where he felt his way into the furtherest corner and
lay still hardly daring to breathe.

In a minute or two he heard them coming down the hall. They were
talking in a language he could not understand.

"What if they should have a light," thought Daimur. "All would be
lost, for in this place they could easily make me a prisoner."

They entered the room. As they did so the Old Witch hesitated, and
Daimur noticed her voice change, but all she did was to close the door
leading into the hall. Then still talking the two made their way in
the dark across the room and out of the other door.

When their footsteps had ceased to echo down the corridor, for they
walked noisily, Daimur came out of his corner and tried the door
leading into the long passage. It was locked. Then he tried the door
which led to the main hall, but that too was locked.

He was trapped.

Just at that moment a faint spicy smell came to his nostrils. He stood
still, wondering what it could be. It grew stronger and stronger and
sweeter and sweeter, until he could feel himself growing sleepy. Alas,
he knew now that the witches had seen him.

In vain he looked around for som