During the year 1660 two sisters kept an inn at Betws-y-coed. It was situated just on the Capel Curig side of Betws-y-coed village. Though there is now not even a stone to mark where it once stood. Not many travellers stayed there, not because it was not very clean and comfortable, but for a very different reason. Several guests had been robbed while they slept, and there was one puzzling thing about the robberies. The travellers made sure of locking the bedroom doors at night from the inside. When they found out in the morning they had been robbed there was nothing to indicate the door or the lock had been tampered with. The sisters were sympathetic, but could give no explanation. Some having heard of the nocturnal events had even barricaded the door from the inside by putting heavy chests or a chair against it. This did not prevent the robbery though. One evening the great Welsh wizard Huw Llwyd called at the inn for a night's lodging. He was greeted warmly by the two sisters who were in their early forties. They recognised him and listened to him talking of his adventures respectfully. After a good meal Huw sat for a while by the fire until the warmth made him feel sleepy, and so asked to be shown to his room. Huw had once been a soldier and on his travels around Wales curing people, foretelling the future, and lifting curses, he carried his former army sword, strapped to his side. He explained to his hostesses that he carried the sword for protection from robbers and wild animals, which was the truth. Huw also told them that he could not sleep without a light, which he did not put out until sunrise. One of the sisters gave him a bundle of tallow candles, which she said should last him the night then he gave a long tired sigh and said goodnight. Once inside the room, he locked the door, unsheathed his sword and laid it on the bed head. He placed his clothing in a bundle near the bed, placed his overcoat on top of the pile and got into bed to watch what would happen. Before long he saw two cats playing around the room, but had no idea how they had entered, as the tiny window was still shut. The cats made considerable noise, but he did not open his eyes and made no movement. Coming to the conclusion he was deeply asleep, the animals approached his clothing, pulling at them gently. One cat put its paw into the pocket where he kept his purse and seemed to have trouble withdrawing it. Swiftly he picked up his sword and brought it down on the pocket where the cat had entangled its paw. With a terrible scream, the cat withdrew its paw, which was dripping with blood. It joined its companion and started running wildly around the room, before vanishing through the bedroom wall. The wizard settled down and was soon asleep, until the cock crowing woke him. When he got down stairs there was only one sister there to meet him. "Good day, where is your charming sister?" Huw asked. She explained her sister had been taken ill overnight, and was in bed for the day. After breakfast Huw prepared to take his leave, and looked for his purse so that he could pay for the night's lodging. "I must say goodbye to your poor sister" he said dashing hp the stairs before the woman could reply. He found the right bedroom at once and pushed the door open to find the woman in bed looking pale and ill. Her hands tucked under a woollen quilt. "Well I am off now" said Huw, extending his hand to shake hers. "Get well soon". He held out his hand until she slowly extended her left hand turning her face away from him. "Come dear lady, your right hand. It is unlucky to shake with the left" said Huw. Very slowly, she brought out her hand, obviously very much in pain. It was wrapped in a thick bandage which showed signs of blood. Huw at once turned to her sister and grabbing her wrist drew his sword and nicked her wrist drawing a little blood. "Now, witch sisters, you will never be able to transform yourselves into cats and rob your guests again" said Huw leaving the bedroom and going down the stairs to let himself out. There followed a stream of curses from the sisters, but he only laughed, fully aware that no witch's curse could harm him, the great magician Huw Llwyd.
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