When finished them low bow and said:

" go at once kitchen your dinner it something of job all the Fuddles together, so I advise you Lord High Chigglewitz, whose first name is Larry He's bald-headed fat man dressed in blue coat with brass buttons, pink vest and drab breeches piece left knee is missing, having been lost when he scattered himself too carelessly That makes him limp little, but he gets along with half knee As he chief personage town of Fuddlecumjig, to welcome you and assist you others So best to work on him while I'm getting your dinner "

" ," said the Wizard; "and , Cook, suggestion "

Aunt Em first to discover piece Lord High Chigglewitz

"It seems like fool business, this matching folks together," she remarked; "but haven't anything till dinner's ready, get rid of rubbish Here, Henry, get busy and look for Larry's bald head I've got his pink vest, all right "

They worked with eager interest, and Billina proved great help The Yellow Hen had sharp eyes and could put her head close various pieces that lay scattered around examine the Lord High Chigglewitz which piece of him was next needed, and then hunt around until she found it So before an hour had passed old Larry was standing complete before them

"I congratulate you, my friends," , speaking in cheerful voice " certainly the cleverest people who ever visited us never matched together so quickly in my life I'm considered great puzzle, usually "

"Well," said Dorothy, "there used picture puzzle craze in Kansas, and so I've had some 'sperience matching puzzles But the pictures were flat, while round, makes you harder to figure out "

" , my dear," replied old Larry, greatly pleased " highly complimented Were I not really good puzzle, there no object in my scattering myself "

"Why do it ? " asked Aunt Em, severely "Why don't you behave yourself, and stay put together ? "

The Lord High Chigglewitz seemed annoyed speech; but he replied, politely:

"Madam, perhaps noticed that every person has some peculiarity Mine is to scatter myself What your own peculiarity is venture ; but never find fault , whatever "

"Now you've got your diploma, Em," said Uncle Henry, with laugh, "and I'm glad of it queer country, and take people as them "

"If , we'd leave these folks scattered," she returned, and this retort made everybody laugh good-naturedly

Just then Omby Amby found hand with knitting needle , decided Grandmother Gnit together She proved an easier puzzle than old Larry, and when she was completed they found her pleasant old lady who welcomed them cordially Dorothy told her how the kangaroo had lost her mittens, and Grandmother Gnit promised to set to work at once and poor animal another pair

Then the cook came them to dinner, found an inviting meal prepared The Lord High Chigglewitz sat head table and Grandmother Gnit foot, guests had merry time and thoroughly enjoyed themselves

After dinner they went out yard and matched people together, and this work was so interesting spent the entire day at Fuddlecumjig the Wizard suggested resume their journey

"But I don't like to leave all these poor people scattered," said Dorothy, undecided what

"Oh, don't mind us, my dear," returned old Larry "Every day or so Gillikins, or Munchkins, or Winkies come here to amuse themselves by matching us together, so no harm in leaving these pieces where for time But visit us again, and always be welcome, I assure you "

"Don't you ever match ? " she inquired

"Never; for no puzzles to ourselves, and so there wouldn't be any fun "

They now said goodbye queer Fuddles and got into their wagon their journey

"Those are certainly strange people," remarked Aunt Em, thoughtfully, drove away from Fuddlecumjig, "but I really can't see what use , at all "

"Why, they amused us all for several hours," replied the Wizard " being of use , I'm sure "

" they're more fun than playing solitaire or mumbletypeg," declared Uncle Henry, soberly " part, I'm glad we visited the Fuddles "

13 How the General Talked King

When General Guph returned cavern Nome King his Majesty asked:

"Well, what luck ? Will the Whimsies join us ? "

" ," answered the General " fight with all their strength and cunning "

"Good ! " exclaimed the King "What reward did you promise them ? "

"Your Majesty is to use the Magic Belt each Whimsie large, fine head, in place small one now obliged to wear "

"I agree ," said the King " good news, Guph, and it makes me feel more certain conquest of Oz "

"But other news ," announced the General

"Good or bad ? "

"Good, your Majesty "

"Then hear it," said the King, with interest

"The Growleywogs will join us "

"No ! " cried the astonished King

"Yes, indeed," said the General " their promise "

"But what reward do they demand ? " inquired the King, suspiciously, for how greedy the Growleywogs were

" few Oz people for their slaves," replied Guph think it necessary Roquat Growleywogs demanded twenty thousand slaves It time enough when Oz was conquered

"A very reasonable request, I'm sure," remarked the King " congratulate you, Guph, wonderful success of your journey "

"But all," said the General, proudly

The King seemed astonished "Speak out, sir ! " he commanded

" the First and Foremost Phanfasm Mountain of Phantastico, and bring his people to assist us "

"What ! " cried the King "The Phanfasms ! You don't mean it, Guph ! "

" true," declared the General, proudly

The King became thoughtful, brows wrinkled

"I'm afraid, Guph," rather anxiously, " First and Foremost may prove as dangerous Oz people If he terrible band come down mountain notion to conquer the Nomes ! "

"Pah ! foolish idea," retorted Guph, irritably, but heart King was right "The First and Foremost is particular friend , and will do us no harm Why, when there, he even invited me into his house "

The General neglected the King how he jerked hut First and Foremost brass hoop So Roquat the Red looked at his General admiringly and said:

" wonderful Nome, Guph I'm sorry make you my General before But what reward did the First and Foremost demand ? "

"Nothing at all," answered Guph "Even the Magic Belt itself add powers of sorcery All the Phanfasms wish is to destroy the Oz people, good and happy This pleasure will amply repay them for assisting us "

"When will ? " asked Roquat, half fearfully

" tunnel is completed," said the General

" nearly halfway under the desert now," announced the King; " is fast work, because the tunnel be drilled through solid rock But after passed the desert take us long to extend the tunnel walls Emerald City "

"Well, whenever ready, joined Whimsies, the Growleywogs Phanfasms," said Guph; "so the conquest of Oz is assured without doubt "

Again, the King seemed thoughtful

"I'm almost sorry undertake the conquest alone," said he "All allies are dangerous people, and demand more than promised them It better conquered Oz without any outside assistance "