"Oh, old, and has worked enough lifetime," interrupted the girl Ruler; "so find place for your uncle and aunt where comfortable and happy and need not work more than they care to When shall we transport them here, Dorothy ? "

"I promised them again were turned farmhouse," answered Dorothy; "so--perhaps next Saturday--"

"But why wait ? " asked Ozma "And why journey back to Kansas again ? surprise them, and bring them here without any warning "

"I'm not sure believe Land of Oz," said Dorothy, "though I've told 'em 'bout it lots of times "

"They'll believe see it," declared Ozma; "and told magical journey to our fairyland, it may make them nervous the best way to use the Magic Belt without warning them, and when arrived explain whatever understand "

"Perhaps that's best," decided Dorothy "There isn't much use in their staying farm until put out, 'cause it's much nicer here "

"Then to-morrow morning they shall come here," said Princess Ozma " order Jellia Jamb, the palace housekeeper, rooms all prepared , and after breakfast get the Magic Belt and by its aid transport your uncle and aunt Emerald City "

" , Ozma ! " cried Dorothy, kissing her friend gratefully

"And now," Ozma proposed, " take walk gardens before we dress for dinner Come, Dorothy dear ! "

4 How The Nome King Planned Revenge

The reason most people are bad is because try good Now, the Nome King had never tried good, so very bad indeed Having decided to conquer the Land of Oz and to destroy the Emerald City and enslave all its people, King Roquat the Red kept planning ways to dreadful thing, more he planned the more he believed to accomplish it

Dorothy went to Ozma the Nome King called his Chief Steward to him and said:

"Kaliko, you the General armies "

" you won't," replied Kaliko, positively

" ? " inquired the King, reaching scepter big sapphire

"Because I'm your Chief Steward and know nothing of warfare," said Kaliko, preparing to dodge if anything were thrown at him "I manage all the affairs of your kingdom better than yourself, and you'll never find another Steward as good as But hundred Nomes better fitted to command your army, and your Generals get thrown away so often that no desire "

"Ah, some truth in your remarks, Kaliko," remarked the King, deciding not to throw the scepter "Summon my army to assemble Great Cavern "

Kaliko bowed and retired, and returned army was assembled So the King went out upon balcony that overlooked the Great Cavern, where fifty thousand Nomes, all armed with swords and pikes, stood marshaled in military array

required as soldiers all these Nomes were metal workers and miners, had hammered forges and dug so hard with pick and shovel had acquired great muscular strength They were strangely formed creatures, rather round and not very tall Their toes were curly and their ears broad and flat

of war every Nome left his forge or mine and became part great army of King Roquat The soldiers wore rock-colored uniforms and were excellently drilled

The King looked tremendous army, which stood silently arrayed before him, and cruel smile curled the corners mouth, for that his legions were very powerful Then he addressed them balcony, saying:

" thrown away General Blug, because please me So another General to command this army next in command ? "

" ," replied Colonel Crinkle, dapper-looking Nome, as he stepped forward to salute his monarch

The King looked at him carefully and said:

" you to march this army through an underground tunnel, which going to bore, Emerald City of Oz get there you to conquer the Oz people, destroy them and their city, and bring all their gold and silver and precious stones back to my cavern Also to recapture my Magic Belt and return it , General Crinkle ? "

"No, your Majesty," replied the Nome; " can't "

"Oh indeed ! " exclaimed the King Then he turned servants and said: "Please take General Crinkle torture chamber There kindly slice him into thin slices Afterward feed him seven-headed dogs "

"Anything to oblige your Majesty," replied the servants, politely, and led the condemned man away

had gone, the King addressed the army again

"Listen ! " said he "The General to command my armies must promise to carry out my orders If he fails share the fate of poor Crinkle Now, then, volunteer to lead my hosts Emerald City ? "

For time no one moved and all were silent Then an old Nome with white whiskers were tied around his waist their tripping him up, stepped ranks and saluted the King

"I'd like to ask few questions, your Majesty,"

"Go ahead," replied the King

"These Oz people are quite good, are they not ? "

"As good as apple pie," said the King

"And happy, I suppose ? " continued the old Nome

"Happy day is long," said the King

"And contented and prosperous ? " inquired the Nome

" so," said the King

"Well, your Majesty," remarked he white whiskers, " like to undertake the job, so I'll be your General I hate good people; I detest happy people; I'm opposed to contented and prosperous why so fond of your Majesty Make me your General and I'll promise to conquer and destroy the Oz people If I fail I'm ready sliced thin and fed seven-headed dogs "

" ! , indeed ! That's the way ! " cried Roquat the Red, who was greatly pleased " , General ? "

"I'm called Guph, your Majesty "

"Well, Guph, come with me to my private cave, and we'll talk it over " Then he turned army "Nomes and soldiers," said he, " to obey the commands of General Guph until he becomes dog-feed Any man who fails to obey his new General promptly thrown away now dismissed "

Guph went King's private cave and sat down upon an amethyst chair and put his feet arm King's ruby throne Then he lighted his pipe and threw the live coal he had taken pocket King's left foot and puffed the smoke King's eyes and made himself comfortable For wise old Nome, and best way along with Roquat the Red was to show that not afraid of him

"I'm ready talk, your Majesty,"

The King coughed and looked at his new General fiercely

" not tremble such liberties with your monarch ? " he asked

"Oh no," replied Guph, calmly, and he blew wreath of smoke that curled around the King's nose and made him sneeze " to conquer the Emerald City, and I'm the only Nome in all your dominions conquer it So very careful not to hurt me until carried out your wishes --"

"Well, what then ? " inquired the King

"Then so grateful that you won't care to hurt me," replied the General

" argument," said Roquat "But suppose you fail ? "

"Then it's the slicing machine I agree ," announced Guph "But as I tell you no failure The trouble , Roquat, you don't think carefully enough go ahead and march through your tunnel into Oz, and get defeated and driven back I won't reason I won't is because when I march I'll have all my plans made, and host of allies to assist my Nomes "

"What ? " asked the King

"I'll explain, King Roquat You're going to attack fairy country, and mighty fairy country, too They haven't much of an army in Oz, but the Princess who ruled them has fairy wand; little girl Dorothy has your Magic Belt; and North Emerald City lives clever sorceress called Glinda the Good, who commands the spirits air Also heard wonderful Wizard in Ozma's palace, so skillful that people used him money in America him perform So no easy thing to overcome all this magic "

" fifty thousand soldiers ! " cried the King proudly

"Yes; but Nomes," remarked Guph, taking silk handkerchief King's pocket and wiping his own pointed shoes with it "Nomes are immortals, but strong on magic lost your famous Belt the greater part of your own power was gone Against Ozma you and your Nomes no show at all "

Roquat's eyes flashed angrily

"Then away you go slicing machine ! " he cried

"Not yet," said the General, filling his pipe King's private tobacco pouch