"We had better look monster first," said the Wizard of Oz, settling both pairs of specs and staring nervously over Ozma's shoulder "Show us Quiberon ! " he commanded, little ruler or Philador had chance Instantly the quiet country scene melted away and out flashed the terrible figure of Mombi's monster, throwing himself again and again sapphire castle of Oz High Boy was so frightened that he shot up ten feet and bumped his head ceiling

"Have at you ! " roared Sir Hokus, plunging forward and almost forgetting but the small picture of Quiberon seeing Philador and Trot clutched one another in horror and only Ozma remained calm Clapping her hands for silence, she turned quickly Wizard of Oz

"Quick, Wizard ! " breathed the little fairy, "Fetch your black bag of magic and transport us all Qzure Isles Take hold of hands ! " commanded Ozma, little wizard rushed room Philador immediately took Trot's hand, Trot took Benny's, Benny took Herby's, Herby took the Tin Woodman's, Nick Chopper took Scraps', the Patch Work Girl took the Good Knight's, Betsy's, Betsy seized Dorothy, Dorothy took the Scarecrow, and High Boy not left out, jumped middle ring, as Jellia and Ozma completed the circle Then back skipped the Wizard, and, wriggling between Dorothy Scarecrow, swallowed two famous wishing pills, smiling confidently

"Transport us at once Sapphire City and Castle of Cheeriobed," commanded the Wizard Now Philador had never been transported whole life Gritting his teeth and closing his eyes he waited tensely for something to drag him air and wondering fearfully be to save his father royal household

Feeling no motion or sensation of any kind he opened his eyes, thinking in great disappoint-ment magic spell had failed But so powerful are the Wizard's wishing pills, they transport one in twinkling and without ruffling as an eyebrow So little Prince opened his eyes, terrified Quiberon center magic circle circle itself gardens father's blue palace With part long body coiled up in flower bed, other poised to strike another blow King's castle, the awful monster even seem aware people Emerald City Trot hid her face on Philador's shoulder, and Philador, with shudder, saw the Good Knight draw his sword But before Sir Hokus could make thrust, or Quiberon could strike, the Wizard of Oz, blowing black powder air, stamped three times left foot

With terrible bellow, the great fear-fish began to hurl himself castle, but froze in mid air, petrified Wizard's black magic into glittering dragon of silver and bronze

"We'll move him later," observed the Wizard calmly "A shame creature like that cluttering up so lovely garden, but now go in King "

Scarcely able his eyes, and with many backward glances, the little Prince tiptoed great jewel-trimmed door and knocked twice But no one came Then Sir Hokus thumped loudly mailed fist and High Boy, turning about, played lively tatoo panels heels

"They still think it's Quiberon," snorted High Boy at last "Wait here, I'll look in whether everything's all right " Stretching up till on level with sky lights, High Boy butted out the sapphire pane and stuck his head opening

"Unlock your door," whinnied the high horse impatiently "Unlock the door, it's only us " Cheeriobed, who expected the terrible face of Quiberon, stared up in perfect amazement talking horse not, admit, very reassuring sight horse's head coming roof, and for few seconds too stunned to move or speak But as High Boy continued loudly for admittance and finally shouted were keeping Ozma waiting garden, the good monarch sprang up and, unbolting the door, himself admitted the royal rescuers well imagine the King's relief and astonishment when the petrified figure of Quiberon, rearing up over his castle

"Father ! Father ! " cried the little Prince, clasping him around the waist "Here's Ozma and Trot Wizard of Oz, and Quiberon never can harm us again "

sound of Philador's voice, Queen Orin rushed out to embrace her son and, after hasty introductions and greetings all 'round, the party Emerald City filed castle Akbad slunk silently out of sight, as Cheeriobed led Ozma throne Seating Queen Orin beside the little ruler and calling for footmen to bring chairs other visitors, the excited King ran to and fro until everyone was seated

"Just think," puffed Cheeriobed, sinking down at last beside Philador, "we don't even know where your mother's been all these years nor how she escaped and came back My ! My ! What lot talked over ! "

"Talk ! Talk ! And still no food," groaned High Boy, flopping down beside the medicine man "I'm hollower than an old soldier's wooden leg ! "

"Never mind," comforted Herby, opening his medicine chest " cure too " Taking out two pills and slipping them down High Boy's throat, he winked knowingly " dull the pangs of hunger," he assured him gravely While High Boy, with closed eyes waited pangs dulled, Ozma looked happily around the friendly group of Ozure Islanders

" just knew where Tattypoo was, sighed the little fairy girl softly, "there nothing more to worry us

"Worry no longer, Your Highness ! " Turning where the whisper had come from, Ozma saw Queen Orin arise throne

" the Good Witch of, the North," announced Orin clearly

"But you were my mother," wailed the little Prince, seizing her hand imploringly At once the whole room was thrown into state of utmost confusion, some saying this, some saying that, and all wondering aloud, so sounded like session of congressmen

"How be both queen and witch ? " shouted the little Wizard, standing on chair Orin could hear him

"You'll have to admit she's bewitching Queen," neighed High Boy, opening one eye and then the other and forgetting all about his hunger pangs " let the lady speak for herself ? " shrilly

"Sound horse sense," declared Toddledy, nodding approvingly at High Boy, and Ozma, who was even more astonished than Cheeriobed at Orin's announcement, raised her scepter for silence

"Let Queen Orin tell her story," commanded Ozma in her gentle voice an instant silence and almost as one, the whole company turned lovely figure in blue, and waited expectantly for her

CHAPTER 18

The Tale of Tattypoo

TWENTY-FIVE , began the Queen, tossing back her golden hair, " Princess North mountain castle father, King Gil of Gilkenny, came Cheeriobed, Prince Ozure Isles, to ask hand in marriage His father was King Munchkins, monarch of great wealth and power As my father made no objection match and as I myself was quite willing-" Here Orin paused and smiled prettily at Cheeriobed-"preparations were made at once wedding

" , all know, Mombi was ruler North Passing Gilkenny one late afternoon and seeing the footmen hanging lanterns garden, she stopped to inquire the reason festivities Cheeriobed, who was helping decorations, quickly explained were wedding, and Mombi, of her extreme age and ugliness, fell instantly and deeply in love Prince As I watched uneasily from hidden arbor, the old witch transform herself into charming young maiden Following Cheeriobed about, she explained that she was no longer an old and ugly witch, but powerful Princess, that if marry her the Gilliken Country, but the Munchkin Country for their Kingdom "

Cheeriobed pursed up his lips and shook his head sadly part story, for he well remembered Mombi's wicked proposals and her plan to destroy his father, the King Mun-chkins

" ," proceeded Orin demurely, "Cheeriobed refused and Mombi resuming her own shape rushed off in fury, promising us all suffer That very night word came by messenger that Cheeriobed's father had disappeared And," continued the Queen somberly, "he has never been heard of since Distressed and unhappy though we were, Cheeriobed and I were married at once and returned Ozure Isles, where he assumed the title of King and where we hoped to escape Mombi and her mischievous magic For three years we were safe and happy and thought she had forgotten all about us But one day, when Philador was about two years old, Mombi suddenly appeared beach, where we were sitting together She was riding on huge black eagle and, bidding the eagle seize me in its talons, carried me off before I had time to cry out for help, ," sighed Orin, " last Ozure Isles until tonight "

"But what happened ? " gasped Dorothy, leaning forward she nearly tumbled from her chair "Where did she take you ? "

"To her hut mountains," answered the Queen sadly "There, shutting me up in huge closet, she began an incantation me into witch, old and ugly as she herself "

" what happened ! what happened ! " cried the little Wizard, springing entirely out chair and spinning 'round three times "You were too sweet and beautiful into bad witch worst do only changed you into good one " Orin blushed Wizard's little speech

"I don't know ," she went on modestly, "but know that I became witch, forgetting entirely my former life in Gilkenny and Ozure Isles, and living for forest without home or shelter

Coming one morning on Mombi, at one of her wicked enchantments, I raised my staff and bade her stop To my astonishment, better witch than she Magic phrases and spells came easily to my lips, and without difficulty or trouble I drove her forest and took possession of her hut Then, earnest request Gillikens, I stayed North and ruled over that great country as Tattypoo "

"Ruled wisely and well," added Ozma, giving Orin an affectionate pat shoulder

"But did then that Mombi had changed you to witch ? " demanded Trot, looking up Queen with round eyes, "and how did you change back to yourself ? " Orin, with rueful little laugh, shook her head at Trot

"I didn't realize, then, that Mombi had changed me to witch," she admitted frankly and went on to relate how Agnes, the amiable dragon, had persuaded her to look witch's window Her first glance blue window pane had showed her Cheeriobed and Philador, just were when she had left the Ozure Isles Remembering at once who she really was, Tattypoo had recklessly and joyfully jumped out the window, thus breaking the witch's spell and becoming her own true self again

"What became dragon ? " asked Sir Hokus, rattling his sword hopefully