‘But here it is; you can see for yourself!’ pursued the incautious youth, taking it out.
The queen took it from him as if to try its powers, but no sooner was she in possession of it than she called in the guard to turn out a fellow who was trying to rob her, and give him a good beating.
Indignant at such treatment, the youth went to his eldest brother and begged his hat of him that he might, by its means, go and punish the queen.
Putting on the hat he went back to the palace at the hour of dinner and sat down to table. As soon as the queen was served he took her plate and ate up all that was in it one course after another, so that the queen got nothing, and finding it useless to call for more dishes, she gave it up as a bad job, and went into her room. The youth followed her in and demanded the return of his wonderful purse.
‘How can I know it is you if I don’t see you?’ said the queen.
‘Never mind about seeing me. Put the purse out on the table for me and I will take it.’
‘No, I can’t if I don’t see you,’ replied the queen. ‘I can’t believe it is you unless I see you.’
The youth fell into the snare and took off his hat.
‘How did you manage to make yourself invisible?’ asked the queen.
‘Just by putting on this old hat.’