"Well, there always be first," chuckled the tiger, trotting after Betsy

Dorothy, looking little puzzled, waved after him and, well pleased with her plans, ran castle to Wizard of Oz up some new tricks to entertain the guests, and to confer cook about refreshment Soon the palace began to hum with activity The banquet hall, under the skillful hands Scarecrow and Sir Hokus took on truly festive air Messengers and pages ran hither and thither with invitations, while the Royal band, tuning up castle lawn, added its strains general gaiety Indeed, preparations for her return, one thought Ozma gone year instead of day, and Ruggedo, fluttering here and there invisible robe, chuckled with amusement and malice

"Work away," muttered the Gnome King darkly "At three o'clock all bottom Nonestic Ocean, transport my gnomes here and enjoy this party my own self " At first, Ruggedo had continued his pinchings and punchings and hair pullings but, at last, fearing detection, he had stopped his mischievous teasing and seated himself calmly in Ozma's chair head banquet table position it simple matter to unclasp his magic belt little fairy made ready her place The patch, the only visible thing about Ruggedo, was now seat chair, so show and, quite unconscious dreadful peril, Dorothy and her friends went on with their preparations party, while Ruggedo, fidgeting with impatience, kept his eyes fastened emerald clock

Twenty minutes of three ! Twenty minutes, and then- ! The little gnome fairly hugged himself with wicked anticipation Ten minutes of three and now everything was in readiness Dorothy and Betsy, giggling together, were putting the finishing touches table The Scarecrow and Sir Hokus, , were composing speech of welcome, for, , the Cowardly Lion able the Patchwork Girl Ranged walls in pleasant anticipation stood the courtiers and dear old celebrities of Oz Nick Chopper, the Tin Woodman, summoned palace Wizard's magic, stood conversing in low tone with Pastoria, Ozma's Royal Father, about his crop of tin cans, which were larger this year than ever before The little Wizard of Oz, himself, was whispering to Tik Tok, the machine man, tricks planning company's amusement metal man was chuckling with mechanical mirth Hank, Betsy's mule, Toto, Dorothy's little dog, the Saw Horse, Ozma's Royal Steed, and all other palace pets were sitting expectantly at their own special table

"Now then ! " exclaimed the Scarecrow, having finished the speech of welcome own Knight's satisfaction, " finished this address, extend hand of welcome to our little ruler, lead her triumphantly head table and-"

"Look ! " rasped the Tin Woodman, who stood nearest the door "Look ! Look up ! Look out ! " Following the direction of Nick Chopper's tin finger everyone did look and, next minute, in fright and bewilderment, huddled together for protection, for over the heads flashed the hand of Kuma Party

"The welcoming hand ! " gasped the Scare-crow, clutching Sir Hokus "But whose ? Everybody count his hands," mumbled the Scarecrow, looking anxiously at his own

"The hand that smote me," roared the Knight, making lunge hand sword Everyone else ducked, dodged and shuddered arm sailed hither and thither over their heads

"It's trick Wizard's," faltered Dorothy, looking hopefully little man But the Wizard, peering palely from behind huge green chair, shook his head positively

"I had no hand ," muttered the Wizard, mopping his bald head best hanky Now, Kuma's hand could unfortunately carry out only the instructions given it by its owner The note of warning for Ozma was tightly clasped in its fingers, but as Ozma was not present, it presumed she was found in another part palace and immediately flashed up the golden stairway in search of her invisible gnome But Ruggedo was now more invisible than ever, having crawled under the table first sight flying arm arm disappeared, everyone heaved sigh of relief

"Come ! Come ! " wheezed the Wizard, step-ping out nervously from behind the green chair," not let little thing like this spoil the party "

"Why, it's three o'clock now ! "

"And here's Ozma ! " cried Dorothy And there, indeed, was Ozma, standing with quiet smile doorway At once the Scarecrow burst into his speech: "Welcome Ozma, beauteous Queen Sovereign City Green, Illustrious ruler-"

Thump ! Ban-g ! CRASH ! With hand still upraised, the Scarecrow swung long French windows So did everyone matter

"A menagerie ! " shrilled Nick Chopper, fall-ing back against the wall

"Why, it's Scraps ! " burst out the Scarecrow, oztrich, three dusty riders, plunged giddily room

"Beware ! " roared the oztrich in terrible voice, and when an oztrich roars four times louder than lion "Beware ! "

Knocking over Tik Tok and three footmen, bearing trays of lemonade, the great green bird rushed impetuously toward the queen "Beware ! " it roared again so lustily that Ozma's curls blew straight out behind

"Beware," coughed the Scarecrow irritably "Well, I where Out place, you rude monster "

"Beware the Gnome King ! " finished the oztrich, bowing his head so low and so suddenly Patchwork Girl fell off one side and Peter and Grumpy off the other

CHAPTER 18

The Theft Magic Belt

OZMA, surprised enough party, was so startled and dismayed oztrich's roars that she caught at little gold stand from falling As she steadied herself, two arms clasped themselves round her waist

"Oh ! Oh ! Someone is trying to steal my magic belt ! " wailed the little fairy, swaying dizzily from side to side

"Take this ! Take this ! " Bounding feet, Peter picked up the oztrich egg and fairly forced it into Ozma's arms As so there came blood-curdling screech, and then, perfect silence

"It's Ruggedo ! " puffed the Patchwork Girl, who had picked herself up

"Look for blue patch ! Look for blue patch ! " panted Grumpy, standing hind legs and sniffing the air anxiously But no sign of blue patch anywhere, for Ruggedo first glimpse egg had commanded the magic cloak to carry him royal stable Here, trembling and shaken, he cowered Hungry Tiger's stall Furious frustrated by Peter very instant when success seemed sure, he raved and sputtered and tried up some way his belt hateful egg Meanwhile, palace, the utmost confusion prevailed, and hand of Kuma again flashed banquet hall and flew like an arrow to Ozma and dropped the note of warning into her lap, the courtiers fled in every direction, while the celebrities crowded close little Queen to protect her confusing and invisible enemies

"Stop ! Stop ! " panted Peter, as Sir Hokus, waving his sword, made determined swings flying arm "It's helping hand ! It belongs to friend , Sir ! " Tugging iron coat tails Knight, he sought to dissuade him grim purpose, but not until Ozma clapped sharply did the good Knight desist

Leaning back wearily chair Scarecrow had guided her, and still holding the great oztrich egg in her lap, Ozma turned to Scraps

"What does this mean ? these strangers, and where Gnome King ? " asked Ozma in faint voice As she spoke, Kuma's hand patted Peter approvingly head, and doubled into fist under the Knight's nose and, sailing upward, settled quietly green chandelier "I've been Queen, I've riz and fell thrilling tale ! " puffed Scraps, tossing back her yarn dramati-cally

"Never mind the thrills, come point ! Come point ! " growled the Cowardly Lion, looking uneasily oztrich, who was strutting pompously up and down the banquet hall, and at Grumpy, who was casting longing eyes banquet table

Now the whole company turned expectantly Patchwork Girl and, enjoying the importance of her position and news very fullest extent, Scraps told her story and Peter's, while the little boy kept sharp lookout invisible gnome Scraps' own adventures were surprising enough, but when she came to Peter's experiences former Gnome King, the sea quakes, their escape pirate ship magic casket of Soob, the Sorcerer, the excitement of her hearers knew no bounds Clapping on two pair of specs, the Wizard of Oz rushed room to fetch his encyclopedia of magic black bag, for that his utmost skill needed the gnome from carrying out his wicked plans

"It must Ruggedo who pinched you and pulled the Cowardly Lion's tail," whispered Dorothy, who was standing between Sir Hokus Scarecrow good Knight heard how Kuma had dispatched his hand to aid Peter and Scraps in their escape from Patch, he waved apologetically arm resting chandelier It at once descended and began shaking hands all around and Peter, staring gay and brilliant assemblage, thought he had never seen so interesting and strange sight The Hungry Tiger, now story was told, was all for going on party, but the Wizard, realizing the extreme danger they were in, said no

"Put all the magic treasures together and place the oztrich egg on top ," commanded the wizard, "for Ruggedo dare not touch them egg is near "

So Ozma unclasped her belt and, placing the oztrich egg center, put her magic box and wishing pills beside it

" believe Ruggedo so wicked," sighed Ozma, turning sadly Scarecrow "Now that he sees impossible to steal the belt perhaps go away

"Not he ! " answered the Scarecrow positively "He's around here somewhere, depend , and until him, watch out ! "

" eat, while we watch ? " purred the Hungry Tiger "These travellers look tired and hungry and deserve refreshment after their long journey "

Grumpy rolled his eyes approvingly Hungry Tiger and Ozma, of herself, had to smile As she nodded her royal head, the Scarecrow burst into his speech of welcome all over again, the footmen began pulling out the chairs and everyone settled down nothing at all had happened Grumpy had place Hungry Tiger and Cowardly Lion, , well pleased behavior little bear, did their best him feel at home The oztrich stood up behind Grumpy, swallowing rapidly everything that came within reach Scraps had the seat of honor beside Ozma, and Peter, between Dorothy and Sir Hokus, was plied with every delicacy The hand of Kuma, trained , flew backward and forward, filling tumblers, carrying trays and generally making itself useful

"Dost like our Emerald City, lad ? " queried Sir Hokus, bending kindly toward the little boy

"Well," acknowledged Peter quite truthfully, "I haven't seen much of it, the oztrich ran so fast, "

"A rare and exceptional bird ! " murmured Sir Hokus mildly, "but not my idea of giddy steed "

"Nor mine ! " whispered Peter, winking sociably Knight "He goes twenty feet at one jump and travels like hurricane " Between bites, Peter told the Knight how they had run over the bookman and little more pirate ship Sultan of Suds, while Scraps, head table, gave spirited account of her experiences as Queen Quilties

So light hearted and gay are these dear people of Oz that soon they were laughing and chatting as merrily no danger threatened their little ruler or themselves Only the Wizard seemed bothering Gnome King He had placed his encyclopedia beside him table and, nibbling absently at chicken leg, continued to pore over its finely printed pages in an effort to trace the magic articles Peter had found sorcerer's chest It confessed that Peter glanced chair where the magic belt lay, marveling at its wonderful powers and hoping that when everything was over it would safely transport him back to Philadelphia