Oz 21: The Gnome King of Oz by Ruth Plumly Thompson
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disappeared .

"1 am going to_the emerald city to report the discovery of a treasure ship," explained the gnome king after a short silence ."1 am going to_have Ozma transport the jewels and gold pieces to her own castle .I'm making her a present of_them," finished Ruggedo virtuously .

Wumbo said nothing but, rising slowly, went over and stared into a great crystal ball on_his desk, " that, of_course, is_not true," said Wumbo, coming back to sit in_his chair ." my crystal ball tells me that much and my own eyes tell me that you_are wicked and untrustworthy . therefore I_shall keep you here until I_find some way to warn Ozma of your coming ."

at_these words Ruggedo was simply beside himself .Kicking and screaming and threatening Wumbo with every sort of death and destruction, he writhed about in_the chair . but Wumbo was not easily frightened and, picking up the book of Enchantments, began to read it to himself, while the arm chair, indignant at_the gnome king's bounces and screeches, hugged him till he_was forced to_keep quiet . but sitting there in_the firelight, he_did alot of thinking, and as it grew later and later and quieter and quieter in_the great crystal cavern, the gnome king's spirits began to rise . for Ruggedo was beginning to remember some of_his magic .

" if he doesn't try any more chants, the present ones will wear off in four hours," thought the old gnome craftily ."Four hours, and then for_the magic cloak ! " Wumbo, himself, fully intended to_keep a strict watch over his visitor, but the heat from_the fire and_the drowsy chants in_the old book made him sleepier and sleepier . besides, he had the utmost confidence in_his armchair and, not realizing that Ruggedo knew the length of_time the magic chants would take to run out, he_felt sure the old gnome would_not try again to use his cloak . so he read on and on and, while he_was searching for_the chant to force a person to_tell the truth, the book slipped from_his knees and a loud snore issued from_his lips .

" wake up, master ! wake up ! " buzzed the clock, tilting forward in alarm .

" wake up ! wake up ! " scolded the arm- chair and foot- stool both together, but before_they could arouse the wizard, Ruggedo had vanished .Four hours had passed to_the very minute, the magic of_the wizard's chant had worn entirely away and at a whispered command from_the gnome king, the magic cloak had lifted him out_of_the imprisoning arms of Wumbo's chair and whirled him off and away . over mountains, hills and valleys flew the gnome in_his invisible cloak, through_the chilly mists of early morning till, far below, he_saw the flashing spires of_the Em-erald city of Oz .

chapter 16

Kuma's hand is at work again

as_the chair, foot- stool and clock lost their power of speech at_the same instant the gnome king regained his freedom, there_was no one to arouse Wumbo . and it_was nearly noon time before he_did awaken . puzzled to_find himself in a chair instead of bed he straightened up, gave himself a shake and blinked sleepily up at_the clock . something about_the clock reminded him of_his bad little visitor and, whirling round, he stared anxiously at his arm- chair . but of_course Ruggedo was not there .

" gone ! " exclaimed the wizard, clapping his hand to_his head ."Wumbo, you're growing old and stupid . what's to_be_done now ? what's to_be_done now ? "

Shuffling anxiously up and down his crystal hearth, Wumbo tried to_think of_the quickest way to locate the wicked little gnome .a loud thump upon_the door interrupted his wonder-ings and, as he mechanically muttered the magic phrase that opened it, the arm and hand of Kuma party came flying into_the study .

"A message from my son," breathed Wumbo, hurrying forward to clasp the hand . there_was a note folded up in_the palm and while the wizard opened it the arm settled quietly down beside the clock .

" dear father," wrote Kuma, "a small mortal boy and a gnome came to my cottage yesterday afternoon . the boy is lost and_the gnome quite evidently means mischief .Knowing the perils for a mortal boy traveling in a magic country, I offered to lend him my hand if he ever needed it . this_morning he sent for help and I_have dispatched my right arm and hand to help him escape from_the kingdom of patch and am sending my left to_you for instructions . can_you, by your magic, suggest a way to locate the gnome and keep the boy from harm ?

" your dutiful and affectionate son Kuma ."

Pushing his specs high on_his forehead and knocking his wig sideways, Wumbo dashed over to_his desk, and wrote:

" send your arm to_the emerald city . the gnome has gone there wearing a cloak of invisiblity . take a letter of warning to Ozma and find and hold the gnome till Ozma can by her magic overpower him ."

Folding the paper, he slipped it into Kuma's hand . the hand closed over it at once and in a flash the arm swept out_of_the cave and away over the Gilliken mountains .

" well," sighed Wumbo, sinking into his chair, which immediately gave him areassuring little hug, " that ought to help some . but the gnome certainly means to_make trouble ! "

Wumbo had never mastered long- distance magic and_his spells and chants worked only when he_was present, but feeling that he had done all that he_could without breaking the law, and being fatigued by so_much thinking before breakfast, he gently clapped his hands . in a flash an appetizing repast floated in on a golden tray and settled upon his desk .Pulling up his chair, Wumbo mumbled a few words over the pens and pencils scattered about his desk . next instant they had rolled to_the floor and straightened up into an orchestra of five pieces . softly and sweetly they began to play an old Oz quadrille and, somewhat soothed and comforted, the wonder worker began eating his breakfast .

chapter 17

mystery in_the emerald city

" of_course," said Dorothy, leaning down to tie her gold slipper, " of_course, Ozma has only been gone since yesterday, but even so, i_think it would_be fun to_have a party to welcome her home ."

" so do I ! I love parties ! " Clasping his knee with_his clumsy, stuffed hand, the Scarecrow smiled down at_the little girl . he had just walked over from_his corn- ear residence and_they were sitting cozily in a big swing on_the front porch of_the palace .

" where did Ozma go ? " asked the Scarecrow, taking off his hat and smoothing back the few wisps of straw that served him for hair .

" just to_spend the night with Glinda," said Dorothy, picking up a book of party games and beginning to flip over the pages ."Ozma has her magic belt with her and_is going to wish herself back at three o'clock . why, what_are you laughing at ? " Putting down the book, Dorothy stared reproachfully at her companion .

"I'm not laughing," said the Scarecrow solemnly, " but why pinch me that way ? of_course, I_have no feeling, but it's not very polite ."

"I didn't pinch you at all," exclaimed Dorothy, sitting up very straight . the Scarecrow eyed the deep dent in_his stuffed arm, looked suspiciously all round and then, seeing no one but Dorothy, moved quickly to_the opposite end of_the swing .

" what's the matter ? " rumbled a deep voice and, coming out from behind a gold pillar, the cowardly lion paused before_the royal swing . the cowardly lion had come to_the emerald city with Dorothy on her very first adventure and is_the biggest pet in_the palace . he_was a bit out of breath, for he had just been running a race with_his friend the hungry tiger ." what's the matter ? " he panted anxiously, for Dorothy was frowning crossly and_the Scarecrow, in_spite of_his painted smile, looked extremely sulky .

" while i_was telling him about Ozma's party, he laughed at me," pouted the little girl, moving as far as she_could from_the straw man .

" but she pinched me," explained the scare- crow in an injured voice, " for no reason whatever ! " it_was so unusual for_these two or for anyone in_the emerald city- to quarrel, that_the cowardly lion could scarcely believe his lion ears and, when Dorothy began to protest angrily that she had_not pinched the Scarecrow, he held up his paw pleadingly .

"Oh let's talk about_the party," begged the lion in a shocked roar ." what were you planning, my dear ? "

" well," said Dorothy, flashing an angry glance at_the Scarecrow, first i_was going to_have a speech of welcome, then games and dancing and, after_that, Ozcream and

"Ouch ! " coughed the lion, interrupting Dor-othy with an angry growl ." who pulled my tail ? " Rolling his eyes from one to_the other he rose to_his feet, trembling in every knee ."I've known you nearly all my life," roared the cowardly lion, shaking his mane furiously, " but no one can pull my tail . not even you, Dorothy ."

"Oh dear ! Oh dear ! i_think you're both perfectly horrid ! " Throwing down her book, Dorothy jumped out_of_the swing, and dashed around the side porch, where she bumped violently into sir Hokus, who was taking his morning turn on_the veranda .

"Odds daggers ! " ejaculated the knight, straightening his shield and buckler ." what's wrong, maiden ? "

" everything ! " wailed Dorothy, throwing her arms round his neck ." just because I'm trying to_plan a party everybody is fighting with me ."

"Fighting ? " puffed sir Hokus, brightening up at_the mere sound of_the word, for he_did dearly love a battle ." well, I'm on_your side . who dares to fight with princess dot ? " thundered the knight in_his deep voice and, seizing her hand, stepped quickly around the corner of_the porch . but when he_saw the cowardly Lidn and_the Scarecrow simply glaring at one another, he paused in dismay . they were his oldest friends and never, since his arrival in_the emerald city, had he had a disagreement with either of_them .Feeling that there_must_be some mistake, he strode hastily between_the two celebrities and held up his hand . as he_did, he received astaggering blow on_the head that pushed his helmet well down over his ears .

"Odds dragons and flagons ! " blustered the knight, sputtering like a red hot coal ." have at you, villains ! Varlets ! Rascals and rogues ! " Drawing his sword, he began slashing in every direction, but as his helmet was over his eyes, he fortunately did no harm .

Crouching behind the swing, Ruggedo, in_his invisible cloak, rocked to and fro with silent merriment, holding his sides and shaking all over with malicious glee .Arriving at_the palace early that morning, the gnome king had immediately ordered the cloak to carry him to_the royal apartment . but Ozma, to_his great disgust and disappointment, was not there . neither was his belt, nor any of_the little queen's magic appliances, for she had taken them all with her to Glinda's castle . until he had the belt, Ruggedo was perfectly powerless and, after his first disappointment had worn off, he determined to wait for Ozma's return, seize the belt as_soon_as she appeared and at once destroy the emerald city and all of_its inhabitants .

while he waited, Ruggedo had run here and there about_the palace, amusing himself in_his own spiteful fashion . now that he had learned from Dorothy the exact time of Ozma's return, he fluttered off to_the kitchen to steal some breakfast and plague the cook meanwhile sir Hokus had tripped over a flower pot and fallen flat, while the cowardly lion and_the Scarcrow had retreated behind two porch pillars . Dorothy, terribly alarmed at_the serious turn the quarrel had taken, rushed hurriedly forward . now that Ruggedo had gone, the whole thing seemed silly and ridiculous .

" let's make up," begged Dorothy, helping sir Hokus to_his feet ."I'm sure it's all a mistake ."

" well, it_was a great mistake to pull my tail," rumbled the cowardly lion, coming out very slowly and majestically, " but I'll overlook it this once ." he blinked suspiciously at_the Scarecrow, but the Scarecrow was helping sir Hokus with_his helmet and did_not even notice .

" who thumpst me again-" panted the knight, pointing his forefinger furiously down- ward-" who thumpst me again - d-ies ! "

" but nobody will ! " Dorothy hastened to assure him . she looked pleadingly at_the Scarecrow, who she felt must_be responsible ." let's forget all about_it and think about_the party," she proposed brightly ." now, who'll make_the speech of welcome ? "

" let Scraps do_it," muttered the cowardly lion, licking his paws sulkily ." she's clever at speeches and makes short ones, too .I'll go find her," he offered in a little more cheerful voice ." haven't seen her since yesterday, but I s' pose she's around somewhere ."

" all right," smiled Dorothy, as_the cowardly lion thudded across the porch ." now, who'll help me decorate the banquet hall ? " sir Hokus had taken off his helmet and was rubbing his head wrathfully . at Dorothy's words he glanced across at_the Scarecrow, but the straw man's painted eyes met his so frankly and innocently that he impulsively put out his hand . certainly the Scarecrow's flimsy arm could never have dealt him such a blow .

" we'll help_you," said the knight, taking the Scarecrow's arm ." 'Twas that villain lion who thumped me," he whispered as_they started for_the banquet hall .

" here come Betsy and trot," cried Dorothy, forgetting all about_the quarrel ." maybe they_will pick some flowers for_the table ! "

Betsy and trot, as_many of you already know, are two little mortals like Dorothy, who have_been invited by Ozma to live in_the royal palace . both reached Oz after ship-wrecks and many trying adventures and_they found life in_the capital so exciting and gay that they_have never wished to return to_the United_States . they

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