The strings maid's apron reached almost floor, and with mighty spring the little Prince seized fluttering ends and hung on for dear life Unconscious of her passenger, the Giantess briskly mounted the stair, Reddy swinging round and round at each step and hoping heartily apron string come untied After very bumpy journey, the little boy found himself top stair and next instant presence little Giant Princess herself

She was seated in chair largest play room ever imagine, and looked extremely comical in her great white wig Letting go the maid's apron string, Reddy dropped floor and creeping behind toy block, peered around in amazement Dolls as big as himself were strewn floor Noah's Arks, toy barns, doll houses and castles as large as our own dwellings were ranged along one side wall and here and there were stuffed and wooden animals of just the right size for Reddy to ride toy train he longed to start and wooden circus that made his heart thump with excitement

" Betsy were here," thought the little Prince "Couldn't fun ? she these dolls ! " Scarcely hearing the clatter of dishes tray, Princess greedily ate her breakfast, Reddy's eyes roved enviously over the vast collection of toys sudden thump, little Giantess jumped out of her chair, recalled him serious purpose visit Princess Elma, with saucer of cream in her hands, was pattering toward him calling top of her voice:

"Here Kitty ! Kitty ! Kitty ! Where Kitty dear ? "

The thought Hungry Tiger as little girl's kitten was so ridiculous that Reddy chuckled of himself, and when little Elma, after several unsuccessful attempts, dragged the tiger from beneath low sofa and began dipping his nose cream, Reddy laughed outright

The Hungry Tiger was growling and snarling so ferociously and Elma filling the air boisterous terms of endearment that neither heard After futile struggle Giantess, the tiger settled himself floor and began to lap up the cream, with an expression of unhappy and hopeless resignation Squatting floor beside him, the Princess continued to shower him with vigorous caresses

"Finish your breakfast, sweet," she cooed in voice like ferry-boat whistle, "then mother'll take you for nice little ride doll coach ! "

Reddy hoped few words Hungry Tiger, and began to creep cautiously toward the strange pair But just as within hailing distance the Hungry Tiger finished the cream, and Elma lifted him joyfully air Torn between mirth and sympathy, Reddy watched the Giantess dress the indignant and struggling tiger in doll coat and cap, tuck him unceremoniously into doll coach and wheel him nursery

"I'll have to wait till back," sighed Reddy, doll coach went bumping down the entry shrill protests Hungry Tiger grew fainter and fainter "And while I wait look around "

This proved so interesting that surprised to hear the great clock mantle strike twelve still no sign Hungry Tiger, he sensibly decided to eat his lunch Choosing the coziest doll houses, he walked boldly up the front steps and dining room The chairs and table were exactly the right size, and with little chuckle of enjoyment Reddy set the table, drew up chair and ate his piece of pancake in peace and comfort

The doll house was complete in every detail, and kitchen cupboard the little boy found canisters of tea, coffee and sugar small gas stove that really worked, so Reddy made himself cup of coffee and finished his lunch with box of stale cakes dresser Then, feeling little sleepy, he curled up doll lounge living room and had fine nap he amused himself trying doll hats and coats entry closet and sliding down the curved banister

four o'clock, and growing little anxious Hungry Tiger, Reddy ran doll house Princess had returned But the nursery was still deserted and after trying in vain to wind up the toy engine, and taking perilous ride on mechanical donkey, which manage to start, the little boy decided to look friend in other rooms palace The toy donkey had carried him to door leading play room into Princess Elma's bedroom, and slipping through, Reddy tip-toed around, examining the tall furniture and fittings with deep interest center room, he stopped short and gave sharp cry of astonishment What ? There, looking like toy, huge surroundings, stood bed no larger than Reddy's own

"Now what," gasped the little Prince of Rash in extreme perplexity, " great girl doing with little bed like this ? " There seemed no answer question, but sudden clump, clump hall made him dash for cover Princess Elma was coming back, and just as Reddy dove headlong into one of her slippers, she ran in, the Hungry Tiger in her arms

"Now stay here pet ! " bellowed Elma tenderly, and dropping the tiger floor she skipped noisily room

For moment the Hungry Tiger lay motion-less where he had fallen The doll cap was down over his eyes, the doll coat in ribbons and Reddy that he had had hard day When attempt to rise and try to run, the doll coat threw him down at every step, little Prince, with cry of sympathy and relief, ran out to help him

"Reddy ! " roared the Hungry Tiger hoarsely, "How did you get here Run boy, run, dreadful girl gets you, too Look ! Look at me ! " he groaned forlornly "How shall I ever hold up my head again ? Run away, Reddy, I beg of you ! Run, too late ! "

"Sh-h ! " whispered Reddy warningly "We'll run together " Cutting the cap strings sword and tearing off the offensive doll coat, the little boy threw both arms round the tired old tiger and gave him tremendous hug

" that I, the Hungry Tiger of Oz, come ! " moaned the tiger, two tears running down his nose "Oh, Oh, Oh ! never be the same

"Sh-h ! " begged Reddy again "To-night Giants are asleep, we'll escape I still have the Rash rubies, remember " Holding them up, Reddy looked eagerly ruffled and doleful tiger The sight rubies seemed to restore him little

" try it anyway, he mused wearily "But, take care, here comes that awful girl back again Hide yourself, quick ! "

Reddy had just time to scramble beneath chintz chair, when Princess Elma came bounding back, plate of chicken in one hand and doll bed other

CHAPTER 17

The Big Wig's Secret

THE Giantess seemed astonished the Hungry Tiger without his wraps, and picking him up began to scold gently She was thrusting his front paws into doll's night dress, when loud voice next room made her pause

"Bother ! " exclaimed Princess Elma, putting the Hungry Tiger down beside the plate of chicken, "I've got my bath But I'll be right back "

"Don't hurry," growled the Hungry Tiger, gnashing his teeth ferociously as Elma ran toward the Big Wig nurse, standing doorway

"Why don't you bite her," asked Reddy, venturing out from beneath the chair

"My conscience tells me it wrong," groaned the poor tiger "After all, only child and really means no harm "

Princess Elma was gone that Reddy Hungry Tiger had time to dine most comfortably plate of chicken and tell their strange experiences Giant Castle The Hungry Tiger was amazed to learn how Reddy carried over the wall and listened eagerly plans for escape

"We'll wait till mid-night," whispered the little Prince "Then, Rash rubies to protect us, we'll fall all the way down the stairs and try our way castle "

" nothing has happened to Carter and Betsy," sighed the tiger mournfully "Help me out horrible sleeves, boy ! " But Reddy advised him doll's gown Elma would suspect nothing, and reluctantly the tiger agreed "I had no idea kittens lead such hard lives," he groaned dismally "My ribs ache from hugging and I've been dragged around all day like duster Hide, Reddy, hide ! Here she comes again "

Reddy lost no time in concealing himself beneath the chair, and hiding place he watched the Giantess kiss the Hungry Tiger good-night, and tuck him vigorously doll bed Then, with huge yawn, she walked over to her own bed-the tiny bed that had so astonished Reddy first place

"How does the great creature expect to sleep ? " thought the little boy scornfully How, indeed ? Raising her hand to her head, Elma calmly took off her huge wig, and as she did she shrank so swiftly downward that Reddy clutched the leg chair and clapped his hand over his mouth from screaming aloud

The Hungry Tiger, who had slept nursery the night before, was equally astonished sudden change Princess Rearing up on all fours, he glared in disbelief little girl, who now no larger than Reddy, jumped unconcernedly into bed and pulled the covers her chin The big wig, itself, grown small enough to fit mortal-sized person, lay floor beside her So surprised that he forgot all necessity for caution, Reddy rushed out from beneath the chair, but the Hungry Tiger hastily waved him back and, curling down nothing unusual had happened, pretended asleep Fortunately the little girl seen Reddy, and crawling cautiously back, he sank down beneath the chair and tried to work out the puzzle

"These Giants are frauds," decided the little boy exultantly "Why, they're Giants only wear their wigs "

He longed it over Hungry Tiger, but realizing the wisdom of hiding till all the Giants were abed, set himself patiently to wait

It grew quieter and quieter Giant's Castle, and nursery clock tolled out twelve, the Hungry Tiger slipped noiselessly bed and padded softly over little Prince

"She's asleep," breathed the Hungry Tiger, "and so are the rest bogus Big Wigs Let's make dash , my boy "

"I've been thinking," mused Reddy, as he helped the Hungry Tiger off giant doll dress, "I've been thinking take castle and across the city It might take us till morning "

"All the more reason to start at once," urged the Hungry Tiger "Come along, let's start now