“One of the Hat-Pins,” replied the elf in a whisper; “belongs to the royal family, you know. The King’s sceptre is a gold-headed hat-pin, and any one who finds a hat-pin is made a member of the royal family.”
Just then a messenger summoned them to appear before the King.
“There is one rule you must bear in mind, while you are in this hall,” said the elf to Harry, as they followed the messenger; “no one is permitted to turn his back to the King.”
Half-way down the hall they came to the Lord of the Safety-Pin, who looked so ugly and hateful that Harry could not help smiling. Just after they passed him, Hairy felt a sharp pin-prick in his leg, and turning about hastily, discovered that it had been inflicted by the Lord of the Safety-Pin himself.
“Ha! ha!” cried that individual, with a malicious grin, “you have turned your back on the King!”
The King spoke a few words to his body-guard, and instantly a large number of them started towards Harry.
“Quick! you must escape!” cried the elf whose hat he possessed. “Follow me.”
Harry was inclined to stand his ground, but on second thoughts it seemed wiser to run, so he followed his little friend through a side doorway and on through many corridors and up numerous flights of stairs until they arrived at the chamber where they had first entered. The elf ran up the steps, and taking a pin from his coat inserted it in a small hole in the rock overhead, and said:
“Pin, pin,
Trusty and stout,