" man you ran over," explained Peter quickly, "and he's read his book "

And you stand here reading whole Kingdom in danger ? " hissed the oztrich, thrusting his long neck forward angrily "A nice way to save the Queen, say

"I've chapter on saving, somewhere, but I'm afraid it's on saving money," mumbled the bookman, thumbing his pages over hurriedly Peter and Scraps looked rather crestfallen and, while they walked slowly toward the oztrich, he again addressed the bookman

" , perhaps tell us the way Emerald City," he wheezed disagreeably

"I'm not guide book," answered the book-man stiffly

"Then shut up," advised the oztrich so sharply that without intending to at all the bookman did shut up

" coming, or do to save the Kingdom myself ? " asked the oztrich, turning impatiently to Peter

"I'll come, too, and entertain you go along Read run," said the bookman brightly

"Not as I run," sniffed Ozwold, who seemed determined to snub this new acquaintance "Better keep out way or you'll be run over again

"I'm afraid ," said Peter, patting the bookman kindly back, for quite crushed by Ozwold's rude speeches

Scraps had already mounted the oztrich and now, leaning far out side, shook hands bookman, singing: "Bookman ! Bookman, don't you care, We'll see you some day somewhere, Come Emerald City, do And then I'll read you through and through ! "

"So will I," promised Grumpy earnestly "You'll find us palace Just ask Queen Quilties and her pet," finished the little bear grandly

"There won't be any palace stand here much longer," fumed the oztrich, kicking up the dust angrily "Come on ! "

Realizing that some truth oztrich's remarks, Peter picked up the huge egg and climbed aboard Grumpy, growling under his breath, took his seat behind Peter

" no time for improving literature," hissed the oztrich, starting off at two legged trot Peter bother to answer, but waved his cap cheerily bookman, who still stood uncertainly middle road He kept on waving till the bookman became mere speck distance, then, turning about, devoted all his attention to holding on For nearly an hour Ozwold pelted down the endless road Then suddenly Scraps clutched him excitedly neck

"Stop ! " shouted the Patchwork Girl "Stop ! Stop ! "

"What's the matter ? " coughed the oztrich, slackening his speed trifle "Turn out between those pear trees quick, the road of yellow brick," cried Scraps, waving one arm joyfully over her head

"Where does that take us ? " inquired Peter, leaning curiously over Scraps' shoulder " Emerald City's golden gate; Home ! Home at last, hardly wait ! "

sang Scraps, nearly choking the oztrich in her excitement "Hurry, Ozzy, hurry ! Hurry ! "

"Don't forget to whum come Emerald City," grumbled Grumpy, great green bird gathered itself together for another burst of speed

"The Emerald City destroyed for all ," wheezed Ozwold gloomily "But hold tight, everybody Here we go ! "

CHAPTER 15

Wumbo, Wonder Worker, at Home

THE Gilliken Country of Oz has always been favorite retreat for witches, wizards and sorcerers practice of magic forbidden for everyone except Glinda, the Good Sorceress South, Wizard of Oz, lesser wizards and magic workers have retired mountains north to practice in secret or study for their own satisfaction the ancient art of wizardry

In crystal cavern western slope of Zamagoochie lived Wumbo, the Wonder Worker youth, Wumbo had studied best schools of sorcery and was an accomplished magician, but lovable and loyal citizen of Oz Therefore, when Ozma passed law against the practice of magic, Wumbo withdrew favorite cave and quietly and harmlessly continued his studies Now, of all studies sorcery most profitable Being able to grant most own wishes, Wumbo lived utmost comfort and contentment, his cavern being almost as magnificent and luxurious as Ozma's castle From preference, Wumbo lived by himself, but was seldom lonely, for can conjure up company of acrobats from handful of pebbles, or an orchestra from few sticks and dried peas, always sure of entertainment Long after ordinary Oz folk were in their beds, Wumbo, crystal study, would pore over his musty books of magic, trying out new spells and charms own satisfaction and amusement

especially fond book of Chants and Enchantments and, evening writing of, sat beside his great crystal lamp, turning over its leaves and humming cheerfully to himself

" ," mused Wumbo at last, " use the speech-giving chant, tonight It's been since I've talked with my furniture and it has lot mel" Rubbing his hands gleefully, Wumbo turned to page ninety-seven and, after reading the chant to himself, walked over foot-stool and, touching it gently, droned: "Ooney, mooney, nooney nil, Tell me foot-stool what "

" re-covering," creaked the foot-stool promptly "And you trip over me, I trust crack both shins "

"Ho ! Ho ! " roared the wizard, bending backward and forward with mirth, "that's nice of you Anything else ? " foot-stool made no further remark, he walked mantel and touched the clock

"Ooney, mooney, nooney nill, Tell me, old clock, what "

"Your wig's on crooked," ticked the clock critically, "and there's smudge end of your nose " Looking glass, Wumbo saw clock, as usual, was telling the truth Straightening his wig, he went next favorite chair

"Ooney, mooney, nooney nill, Tell me, arm-chair, what ! " chanted Wumbo, putting both hands pockets

"Somebody's sitting on me," complained the chair in stuffy voice

"Somebody's sitting on you," gasped Wumbo in astonishment "Why, I don't see anybody ! "

"Then feel 'em," whispered the chair hoarsely Putting out his hand cautiously, Wumbo touched long wispy beard and immediately jumped back with cry of alarm

"Fold your arms ! Fold your arms ! " spluttered the Wonder Worker, rushing back Book of Enchantments The chair lost no time in obeying this order Instead of ordinary arms, Wumbo's chair had real ones and it clasped them invisible sitter, neither move, scream nor scarcely breathe Meanwhile, with trembling fingers, Wumbo fluttered over the pages Chant Book, till the exact one searching for-the chant to render visible the invisible "Ominey, hominey, dominey deer, I command you invisible one to appear ! " mumbled Wumbo, straightening his specs ex-citedly, for he had had no visitors for seven years Instantly the figure of gray gnome appeared armchair, kicking, struggling and sputtering with fright and fury As Wumbo continued to stare at him, the chair lowered one arms, and Ruggedo, for, , it old Gnome King, jerked up his head and roared loudly:

"Take me Emerald City ! Take me Emerald City ! "

" addressing me ? " asked Wumbo, dropping into chair opposite the gnome and regarding him attentively " , save your breath never practiced long-distance magic and Emerald City, even if to "

"Who wants your old magic," sneered Rug-gedo "I've magic own Take me Emerald City Take me Emerald City ! " he screeched, trying in vain to squirm clutching arms of Wumbo's chair

" evidently unfamiliar with first and simplest of magic laws," observed the wizard reprovingly " now that wearing an invisible cloak, but two magic charms cannot work same time and as I spoke first to wait till my chant wears off "

"Who ? Where am I ? How dare you keep me here ! " panted Ruggedo furiously

" Zamagoochie Country, humble cave of Wumbo the Wonder Worker," answered the old gentleman quite amiably "And came here yourself, why blame me for trying to entertain you as best ? "

" it ! it ! " raged the Gnome King " Peter's doing When I catch that boy I'll turn him to peach basket and jump on him ! And you, I suppose, are the father meddling Kuma Party ? "

"Why, yes," said Wumbo in surprise " met my son ? " Ruggedo gave spiteful nod, and began to struggle anew arms chair

"I command you to let me go," puffed the Gnome King "I've important business Emerald City and must reach there tonight "

"I'm afraid impossible," sighed Wumbo softly "When my chair takes fancy to person, it sometimes hangs on to him for days and days sit still and rest yourself," he suggested, folding his arms comfortably Seeing that perfectly powerless, Ruggedo lay back and glared old wizard, his red eyes snapping with rage and resentment

"I'll report you to Ozma," threatened the Gnome King darkly " perfectly well that breaking the law, having all this magic furniture and stuff "

"Take your feet off my rounds, " ordered the chair sharply, giving Ruggedo good squeeze,

"How magic cloak ? " said Wumbo, smiling little as Ruggedo hastened his heels off the rungs chair, "and how about turning boy to peach basket ? That sounds like pretty bad magic Who boy ? And why wearing cloak of invisibility ? "

"That's my business," muttered the gnome, looking uneasily around " going to let me go or not ? "

"That depends on where going and what going ," answered Wumbo, clapping his hands three times box of chocolates instantly appeared and tilted invitingly toward the wizard Helping himself, Wumbo offered chocolate to Ruggedo, but the gnome shook his head impatiently, so Wumbo clapped his hands again chocolates disappeared

"1 am going Emerald City to report the discovery of treasure ship," explained the Gnome King after short Silence "1 am going Ozma transport the jewels and gold pieces to her own castle I'm making her present ," finished Ruggedo virtuously

Wumbo said nothing but, rising slowly, went over and stared into great crystal ball desk, "That, , true," said Wumbo, coming back to sit chair "My crystal ball tells me that much and my own eyes tell me that wicked and untrustworthy Therefore keep you here until some way to warn Ozma of your coming "