"If he doesn't try any more chants, the present ones will wear off in four hours," thought the old gnome craftily "Four hours, and then magic cloak ! " Wumbo, himself, fully intended strict watch over his visitor, but the heat fire drowsy chants old book made him sleepier and sleepier Besides, he had the utmost confidence armchair and, not realizing that Ruggedo knew the length the magic chants would take to run out, sure the old gnome try again to use his cloak So he read on and on and, while searching chant to force person the truth, the book slipped knees and loud snore issued lips

"Wake up, Master ! Wake up ! " buzzed the clock, tilting forward in alarm

"Wake up ! Wake up ! " scolded the arm-chair and foot-stool both together, but could arouse the wizard, Ruggedo had vanished Four hours had passed very minute, the magic wizard's chant had worn entirely away and at whispered command Gnome King, the magic cloak had lifted him imprisoning arms of Wumbo's chair and whirled him off and away Over mountains, hills and valleys flew the gnome invisible cloak, chilly mists of early morning till, far below, the flashing spires Em-erald City of Oz

CHAPTER 16

Kuma's Hand Is at Work Again

chair, foot-stool and clock lost their power of speech same instant the Gnome King regained his freedom, no one to arouse Wumbo And nearly noon time before awaken Puzzled himself in chair instead of bed he straightened up, gave himself shake and blinked sleepily up clock Something clock reminded him bad little visitor and, whirling round, he stared anxiously at his arm-chair But Ruggedo was not there

"Gone ! " exclaimed the wizard, clapping his hand head "Wumbo, you're growing old and stupid What's now ? What's now ? "

Shuffling anxiously up and down his crystal hearth, Wumbo tried quickest way to locate the wicked little gnome loud thump door interrupted his wonder-ings and, as he mechanically muttered the magic phrase that opened it, the arm and hand of Kuma Party came flying study

"A message from my son," breathed Wumbo, hurrying forward to clasp the hand note folded up palm and while the wizard opened it the arm settled quietly down beside the clock

"Dear father," wrote Kuma, "a small mortal boy and gnome came to my cottage yesterday afternoon The boy is lost gnome quite evidently means mischief Knowing the perils for mortal boy traveling in magic country, I offered to lend him my hand if he ever needed it he sent for help and dispatched my right arm and hand to help him escape Kingdom of Patch and am sending my left for instructions , by your magic, suggest way to locate the gnome and keep the boy from harm ?

"Your dutiful and affectionate son Kuma "

Pushing his specs high forehead and knocking his wig sideways, Wumbo dashed over desk, and wrote:

"Send your arm Emerald City The gnome has gone there wearing cloak of invisiblity Take letter of warning to Ozma and find and hold the gnome till Ozma can by her magic overpower him "

Folding the paper, he slipped it into Kuma's hand The hand closed over it at once and in flash the arm swept cave and away over the Gilliken mountains

"Well," sighed Wumbo, sinking into his chair, which immediately gave him reassuring little hug, "that ought to help some But the gnome certainly means trouble ! "

Wumbo had never mastered long-distance magic spells and chants worked only when present, but feeling that he had done all that without breaking the law, and being fatigued by thinking before breakfast, he gently clapped his hands In flash an appetizing repast floated in on golden tray and settled upon his desk Pulling up his chair, Wumbo mumbled few words over the pens and pencils scattered about his desk Next instant they had rolled floor and straightened up into an orchestra of five pieces Softly and sweetly they began to play an old Oz quadrille and, somewhat soothed and comforted, the Wonder Worker began eating his breakfast

CHAPTER 17

Mystery Emerald City

" ," said Dorothy, leaning down to tie her gold slipper, " , Ozma has only been gone since yesterday, but even so, it fun party to welcome her home "

"So do I ! I love parties ! " Clasping his knee clumsy, stuffed hand, the Scarecrow smiled down little girl He had just walked over corn-ear residence were sitting cozily in big swing front porch palace

"Where did Ozma go ? " asked the Scarecrow, taking off his hat and smoothing back the few wisps of straw that served him for hair

"Just the night with Glinda," said Dorothy, picking up book of party games and beginning to flip over the pages "Ozma has her magic belt with her going to wish herself back at three o'clock Why, you laughing at ? " Putting down the book, Dorothy stared reproachfully at her companion

"I'm not laughing," said the Scarecrow solemnly, "but why pinch me that way ? , no feeling, but it's not very polite "

"I didn't pinch you at all," exclaimed Dorothy, sitting up very straight The Scarecrow eyed the deep dent stuffed arm, looked suspiciously all round and then, seeing no one but Dorothy, moved quickly opposite end swing

"What's the matter ? " rumbled deep voice and, coming out from behind gold pillar, the Cowardly Lion paused royal swing The Cowardly Lion had come Emerald City with Dorothy on her very first adventure and biggest pet palace bit out of breath, for he had just been running race friend the Hungry Tiger "What's the matter ? " he panted anxiously, for Dorothy was frowning crossly Scarecrow, painted smile, looked extremely sulky

"While telling him about Ozma's party, he laughed at me," pouted the little girl, moving as far as straw man

"But she pinched me," explained the Scare-crow in an injured voice, "for no reason whatever ! " so unusual two or for anyone Emerald City-to quarrel, Cowardly Lion could scarcely believe his lion ears and, when Dorothy began to protest angrily that she pinched the Scarecrow, he held up his paw pleadingly

"Oh let's talk party," begged the lion in shocked roar "What were you planning, my dear ? "

"Well," said Dorothy, flashing an angry glance Scarecrow, first going speech of welcome, then games and dancing and, , Ozcream and

"Ouch ! " coughed the lion, interrupting Dor-othy with an angry growl "Who pulled my tail ? " Rolling his eyes from one other he rose feet, trembling in every knee "I've known you nearly all my life," roared the Cowardly Lion, shaking his mane furiously, "but no one can pull my tail Not even you, Dorothy "

"Oh dear ! Oh dear ! you're both perfectly horrid ! " Throwing down her book, Dorothy jumped swing, and dashed around the side porch, where she bumped violently into Sir Hokus, who was taking his morning turn veranda

"Odds daggers ! " ejaculated the Knight, straightening his shield and buckler "What's wrong, maiden ? "

"Everything ! " wailed Dorothy, throwing her arms round his neck "Just because I'm trying party everybody is fighting with me "

"Fighting ? " puffed Sir Hokus, brightening up mere sound word, for dearly love battle "Well, I'm side Who dares to fight with Princess Dot ? " thundered the Knight deep voice and, seizing her hand, stepped quickly around the corner porch But when the Cowardly Lidn Scarecrow simply glaring at one another, he paused in dismay They were his oldest friends and never, since his arrival Emerald City, had he had disagreement with either Feeling that some mistake, he strode hastily two celebrities and held up his hand As , he received staggering blow head that pushed his helmet well down over his ears

"Odds dragons and flagons ! " blustered the Knight, sputtering like red hot coal "Have at you, villains ! Varlets ! Rascals and rogues ! " Drawing his sword, he began slashing in every direction, but as his helmet was over his eyes, he fortunately did no harm

Crouching behind the swing, Ruggedo, invisible cloak, rocked to and fro with silent merriment, holding his sides and shaking all over with malicious glee Arriving palace early that morning, the Gnome King had immediately ordered the cloak to carry him royal apartment But Ozma, great disgust and disappointment, was not there Neither was his belt, nor any little Queen's magic appliances, for she had taken them all with her to Glinda's castle Until he had the belt, Ruggedo was perfectly powerless and, after his first disappointment had worn off, he determined to wait for Ozma's return, seize the belt she appeared and at once destroy the Emerald City and all inhabitants

While he waited, Ruggedo had run here and there palace, amusing himself own spiteful fashion Now that he had learned from Dorothy the exact time of Ozma's return, he fluttered off kitchen to steal some breakfast and plague the cook Meanwhile Sir Hokus had tripped over flower pot and fallen flat, while the Cowardly Lion Scarcrow had retreated behind two porch pillars Dorothy, terribly alarmed serious turn the quarrel had taken, rushed hurriedly forward Now that Ruggedo had gone, the whole thing seemed silly and ridiculous

"Let's make up," begged Dorothy, helping Sir Hokus feet "I'm sure it's all mistake "

"Well, great mistake to pull my tail," rumbled the Cowardly Lion, coming out very slowly and majestically, "but I'll overlook it this once " He blinked suspiciously Scarecrow, but the Scarecrow was helping Sir Hokus helmet and even notice

"Who thumpst me again-" panted the Knight, pointing his forefinger furiously down-ward-"who thumpst me again - d-ies ! "

"But nobody will ! " Dorothy hastened to assure him She looked pleadingly Scarecrow, who she felt responsible "Let's forget all and think party," she proposed brightly "Now, who'll speech of welcome ? "

"Let Scraps ," muttered the Cowardly Lion, licking his paws sulkily "She's clever at speeches and makes short ones, too I'll go find her," he offered in little more cheerful voice "Haven't seen her since yesterday, but I s'pose she's around somewhere "

"All right," smiled Dorothy, Cowardly Lion thudded across the porch "Now, who'll help me decorate the banquet hall ? " Sir Hokus had taken off his helmet and was rubbing his head wrathfully At Dorothy's words he glanced across Scarecrow, but the straw man's painted eyes met his so frankly and innocently that he impulsively put out his hand Certainly the Scarecrow's flimsy arm could never have dealt him such blow

"We'll ," said the Knight, taking the Scarecrow's arm " 'Twas that villain lion who thumped me," he whispered started banquet hall

"Here come Betsy and Trot," cried Dorothy, forgetting all quarrel "Maybe pick some flowers table ! "

Betsy and Trot, of you already know, are two little mortals like Dorothy, who invited by Ozma to live royal palace Both reached Oz after ship-wrecks and many trying adventures found life capital so exciting and gay that never wished to return United States They were delighted prospect of party, and so Hungry Tiger, who had come up just behind them Putting huge flower basket back; the two little girls ran gaily down the palace steps

"I'll have strawberry sandwich," purred the tiger, looking over his shoulder at Dorothy " strawberry sandwiches ! "

"I never heard of strawberry sandwich," laughed the little girl, shaking her head dubiously