The the Sorceress Wizard again entered the boat and made it submerge and go marble door, which they tried in various ways to open, but without success

" to abandon this attempt, ," said Glinda "The easiest way to raise the island to gain admittance Dome and then descend basement in what manner Coo-ee-oh made the entire island sink or rise at her command It naturally occurred easiest way to gain admittance by having the boat take us basement marble door Coo-ee-oh launched it But other ways inside the Dome and join Ozma and Dorothy, and such ways find by study proper use powers of magic "

"It won't be easy," declared the Wizard, "for not forget that Ozma herself understands considerable magic, and has doubtless tried to raise the island or find other means of escape and failed "

" true," returned Glinda, "but Ozma's magic is fairy magic, while Wizard and Sorceress the three of us have great variety of magic to work with, and if all fail because the island is raised and lowered by magic power none of us is acquainted with My idea therefore is to seek -- by such magic possess -- to accomplish our object in another way "

They made the circle Dome again in their boat, and once more saw Ozma and Dorothy through their windows and exchanged signals two imprisoned girls

Ozma realized that her friends were doing all in their power to rescue her and smiled an encouragement efforts Dorothy seemed little anxious but was trying as brave as her companion

boat had returned camp and Glinda was seated in her tent, working out various ways Ozma and Dorothy rescued, the Wizard stood shore dreamily eying the outlines Great Dome which showed beneath the clear water, when he raised his eyes and saw group of strange people approaching from around the lake Three were young women of stately presence, very beautifully dressed, who moved with remarkable grace They were followed at little distance by good-looking young Skeezer

The Wizard saw at glance people , so he advanced to meet them The three maidens received him graciously one golden hair said:

"I believe the famous Wizard of Oz, of whom often heard seeking Glinda, the Sorceress, and perhaps lead us to her "

" , and will, right gladly," answered the Wizard "Follow me, please "

The little Wizard was puzzled identity three lovely visitors but no sign that might embarrass them

He understood wish questioned, and so no remarks as he led the way to Glinda's tent

With courtly bow the Wizard ushered the three visitors gracious presence of Glinda, the Good

Chapter Twenty-One

The Three Adepts

The Sorceress looked up from her work three maidens entered, and something in their appearance and manner led her to rise and bow in her most dignified manner The three knelt an instant great Sorceress and then stood upright and waited for her

"Whoever ," said Glinda, "I bid you welcome "

"My name is Audah," said one

"My name is Aurah," said another

"My name is Aujah," said the third

Glinda had never heard these names before, but looking closely three she asked:

" witches or workers in magic ? "

" secret arts gleaned from Nature," replied the brownhaired maiden modestly, "but place our skill beside that Great Sorceress, Glinda the Good "

"I suppose aware unlawful to practice magic Land of Oz, without the permission Ruler, Princess Ozma ? "

"No, we aware ," reply " heard of Ozma, the appointed Ruler of all this great fairyland, but her laws reached us, "

Glinda studied the strange maidens thoughtfully; then she said :

"Princess Ozma is even now imprisoned Skeezer village whole island with its Great Dome, was sunk bottom lake witchcraft of Coo-ee-oh, whom the Flathead Su-dic transformed into silly swan seeking some way to overcome Coo-ee-oh's magic and raise the isle surface again help me ? "

The maidens exchanged glances, white-haired one replied

" know; but try to assist you "

"It seems," continued Glinda musingly, "that Coo-ee-oh derived most of her witchcraft from three Adepts at Magic, who at ruled the Flatheads While the Adepts were being entertained by Coo-ee-oh at banquet in her palace, she cruelly betrayed them and after transforming them into fishes cast them lake

"If find these three fishes and return them natural shapes -- know what magic Coo-ee-oh used to sink the island about shore and call these fishes arrived So, join me, try them "

The maidens exchanged smiles now, golden- haired one, Audah, said to Glinda:

" necessary lake the three fishes "

"Indeed ! " cried Glinda "Then the three Adepts at Magic, restored to your proper forms ? "

" the three Adepts," admitted Aujah

"Then," said Glinda, "my task is half accomplished But who destroyed the transformation that made you fishes ? "

" promised not ," answered Aurah; "but this young Skeezer was largely responsible release; brave and clever, and we owe him our gratitude "

Glinda looked at Ervic, who stood modestly behind the Adepts, hat in hand "He shall be properly rewarded," she declared, "for in helping you he has helped us all, and perhaps saved his people from being imprisoned forever sunken isle "

The Sorceress now asked her guests to seat themselves and long talk followed, Wizard of Oz shared

" quite certain," said Aurah, "that get inside the Dome discover Coo-ee-oh's secrets, for in all her work, after we became fishes, she used the formulas and incantations and arts that she stole She added things, but they were the foundation of all her work "

"What means suggest getting Dome ? " inquired Glinda

The three Adepts hesitated to reply, for they yet considered what to reach the inside Great Dome While they were in deep thought, and Glinda Wizard were quietly awaiting their suggestions, tent rushed Trot and Betsy, dragging the Patchwork Girl

"Oh, Glinda," cried Trot, "Scraps has thought of way to rescue Ozma and Dorothy and all Skeezers "

The three Adepts avoid laughing merrily, for were they amused queer form Patchwork Girl, but Trot's enthusiastic speech struck them as really funny Great Sorceress famous Wizard three talented Adepts at Magic were unable to solve the important problem sunken isle, little chance for patched girl stuffed with cotton to succeed

But Glinda, smiling indulgently earnest faces turned toward her, patted the children's heads and said:

"Scraps is very clever Tell us what she has thought of, my dear "

"Well," said Trot, "Scraps says that dry up all the water lake the island on dry land, an' everyone could come and go whenever they liked "

Glinda smiled again, but the Wizard said girls:

"If dry up the lake, what would become of all the beautiful fishes that now live water ? "

"Dear me ! That's so," admitted Betsy, crestfallen; "we never thought , did we Trot ? "

"Couldn't you transform 'em into polliwogs ? " asked Scraps, turning somersault and then standing on one leg " give them little, teeny pond to swim in, 'd be just as happy as fishes "

"No indeed ! " replied the Wizard, severely " wicked to transform any living creatures without their consent, lake home fishes and belongs "

"All right," said Scraps, making face at him; "I don't care "

"It's too bad," sighed Trot, "for we'd struck splendid idea "

"So ," declared Glinda, her face now grave and thoughtful " something Patchwork Girl's idea of real value "

" so, too," agreed the golden-haired Adept "The top Great Dome is only few feet below the surface water reduce the level lake until the Dome sticks little above the water, remove glass and let ourselves down village of ropes "

"And there plenty of water left fishes to swim in," added the white-haired maiden

" succeed in raising the island fill up the lake again," suggested the brown-haired Adept

"I believe," said the Wizard, rubbing his hands together in delight, " Patchwork Girl has shown us the way to success "

The girls were looking curiously three beautiful Adepts, wondering who they were, so Glinda introduced them to Trot and Betsy and Scraps, and then sent the children away while she considered how to carry the new idea into effect

Not much that night, so the Wizard prepared another tent Adepts, and evening Glinda held reception and invited all her followers to meet the new arrivals The Adepts were greatly astonished extraordinary personages presented , and marveled that Jack Pumpkinhead Scarecrow Tin Woodman and Tik-Tok could really live and think and talk just like other people They were especially pleased lively Patchwork Girl and loved to watch her antics

quite pleasant party, for Glinda served some dainty refreshments eat, Scarecrow recited some poems, Cowardly Lion sang song deep bass voice that marred their joy thought that their beloved Ozma and dear little Dorothy were yet confined Great Dome Sunken island

Chapter Twenty-Two

The Sunken Island