"Better not," shudddered the Hungry Tiger nervously "It might stick Come along, hop on my back and we'll manage somehow "

But Reddy, remembering the steepness Giant stair hugeness Giant city, began to creep determinedly toward Elma's bed As , Elma stirred uneasily in her sleep, and alarmed, lest she wake and seize the wig before , Reddy snatched it floor and clapped it head Stars ! Up like bean stalk shot the little boy, till he feared his head would crack against the ceiling As he grew, the chairs, tables and furniture that had seemed so immense assumed an astonishing smallness The Hungry Tiger running in frantic circle round his feet, looked as looked to Princess Elma-a very tiny and cunning kitten Taking long breath, Reddy leaned down, picked the tiger up and ran room The Hungry Tiger was scolding bitterly under his breath, but Reddy had to hold him up ear to discover what saying

"Mind what you're doing," rumbled the Hungry Tiger, crossly "I'm tired of being picked up like bundle of rags and tossed about Don't squeeze me either or I'll bite off your thumb Grr-uff ! I'm real mad at you ! "

Chuckling little to himself, Reddy promised careful, and tucking the Hungry Tiger gently beneath his arm ran down the richly carpeted hallway resist peeping into rooms, and everywhere the same sight met his eyes Tiny beds stood midst of gigantic bed chambers Giants themselves, no bigger than ordinary folk, sleeping comfortably without their wigs

"It great chance to capture the city," mused Reddy to himself and for time wondered whether it fun But so anxious Betsy and Carter and continue his search lost ruby, that he decided to let the foolish Big Wigs rest in peace Quickening his steps, he hurried down-stairs, unbolted the doors and let himself castle Several Big Wig Guards looked at him curiously, as he hurried down the street, but they made no attempt to stop him

"It's funny," said Reddy Hungry Tiger, as he panted along "This city doesn't look large at all and it's not nearly so big nor fine as Rash "

"That's because you're Giant now," roared the tiger, who was gradually recovering his good humor "It looks pretty big Where are we anyway ? "

"Right gates," answered Reddy trium-phantly "Here, you, get way ! " The Big Wig Guard, who was asleep back against the wall, blinked with surprise and resentment as Reddy spun him out path and slid back the bolts Then, opening the gates, Reddy darted through, calling Betsy Bobbin top voice

"Hush ! " roared the Hungry Tiger "Be still, can't you to scare her to death ? "

already how frightened Betsy Vegetable Man really were Failing to recognize Reddy huge big wig, as bounding door way, they took hands and ran for their lives

"Come back ! Come back ! " pleaded the Prince of Rash, making frantic little snatches fleeing pair "Stop, Carter ! Stop, Betsy ! Don't me ? "

"The wig, idiot Take off the wig," grumbled the Hungry Tiger, who was tired of being jostled up and down "Take off the wig "

So Reddy, who about to lift Betsy up and explain who , snatched off his wig instead In twinkling he had shrunk down to boy-size and, releasing his hold Hungry Tiger, chased merrily after Carter and Betsy

"Betsy ! Betsy ! " gasped the little Prince breathlessly "Don't run away from me " When Betsy, scarcely believing her ears, looked over her shoulder and saw Reddy Hungry Tiger instead of Big Wig, she spun about in perfect astonishment

"But the Giant ! " exclaimed Betsy, while Carter Green hurried forward to embrace Reddy and hug the Hungry Tiger "What became Giant ? "

"Here ," coughed the Hungry Tiger, dropping Princess Elma's wig, which he had picked up when Reddy dropped it, and brought along teeth

While Carter and Betsy continued to stare at them in wonder, Reddy related the history experience in Immense City, and told how he had stolen the wig Then, to demonstrate its strange power, he tried it on and turned before their eyes into Big Wig himself

"Well," sighed Betsy Bobbin, as it off and shrank down beside her, "I don't believe anybody in Oz is having as queer adventures , Carter ? " The Vegetable Man shook his head positively

"But they're turning out all right," he added cheerfully "Here , all together again, with two lost rubies and magic wig besides very happy," finished Carter, smiling Hungry Tiger

"That's because you were never kitten," roared the tiger, beginning to lick his satiny coat into smoothness again "What I've endured hands great girl no one will ever know ! Ugh ! Brrr-rr ! "

"Won't she have to stay little without her wig ? " asked Betsy, curiously

"Hope she does Hope she feels just as small as ," grumbled the Hungry Tiger vindic-tively "She's far safer as now "

"Maybe they'll make her new one, suggested Reddy "Why, Betsy, they're not Giants at all-just big frauds and I'm going this wig always, just to remember them by "

"Don't wear it when I'm around," groaned the Hungry Tiger, rolling his yellow eyes fiercely "I don't want to remember 'em, and every time I look at it I'll think awful day I spent as kitten "

Though way past midnight, the four adventurers had and plans morrow, finally settled themselves for sleep But after Betsy had heard all over again about Princess Elma's marvelous toys and how Reddy had fallen giant water pitcher, the little boy and girl stretched out soft grass beside the road and pillowing their heads comfortably tender-hearted old tiger, slept soundly as tops But Carter need to sleep, so perching upon fence, he watched the moon sailing across the starry sky and kept sharp lookout for Giants

CHAPTER 18

The Third Rash Ruby

'' wicked of Irashi to steal the throne, but I'm almost glad ," remarked the little Prince of Rash, as he and Betsy walked cheerfully down the road next morning "Why, if he hadn't, I'd never have known you or Carter Hungry Tiger," continued Reddy, slashing at tall weed sword, "and I'd never have seen all these cities and celebrities "

Much refreshed by their night's rest, the four travellers had breakfasted royally on giant peach and set out once more Emerald City of Oz

"Don't you ever feel homesick ? " asked Betsy, little wistfully She, herself, was beginning to long Emerald City and glimpse of Ozma and Dorothy and her many friends in Oz

"Well, like old Fizzenpop," admitted Reddy with sigh " wondering where , and fun Prince again Still, we had all adventures together, aren't you Carter ? "

The Vegetable Man nodded, but the Hungry Tiger seem at all enthusiastic His experiences as kitten still made him angry

"What makes our adventures are over ? " he rumbled irritably "We don't even know where I trust going right direction," he grunted, looking over his shoulder at Betsy "And even , how shall we cross the Deadly Desert ? to cross the desert before we come to Oz, "

"Let's wait till we come ," advised Betsy, sensibly "And if Reddy puts giant wig," she added suddenly, "he whether going right direction and-"

"Whether there's anything to eat," put Hungry Tiger, who cared much breakfast "Maybe there's roast beef bush around somewhere," he finished hopeully

Reddy really enjoyed nothing better than shooting up into giant As he explained to Betsy, it made chap see things in much bigger way So, quite willingly, he clapped on Elma's wig and, turning slowly, looked in all directions

As now taller tallest tree anywhere about, he for miles around and it at once became apparent ground that he had made an astonishing discovery

" it ? " roared the Hungry Tiger, rubbing impatiently against his shins "Something to eat ? Take off that wig, you rascal ! Come down here and tell us what

But Reddy lifted Betsy air and, placing her shoulder, pointed excitedly toward the South great height Betsy very distinctly, but even so the little girl gave cry of surprise and delight Striding down road soon cross their own came most curious figure none Atmos, the airman, and pattering along hopefully at his side, the little Princess of all OZ

"It's Ozma ! " cried Betsy, nearly losing her balance "Oh, Reddy, she's coming to But who funny balloon man ? Hurry up Reddy ! Let's go meet them ! "

"Like this ? " boomed the Prince of Rash doubtfully

"No," decided Betsy shaking her head "It might scare her were Giant Put me down and take off your wig "

Almost dropping Betsy, excitement, Reddy pulled off his wig, and after quickly explaining their startling discovery Hungry Tiger, the two children started on run cross-roads

" she never finds out why I went to Rash," muttered the Hungry Tiger under his breath, as he padded hurriedly after them

Carter followed more slowly, brushing back his celery tops and perking up his corn ears The Vegetable Man wished as favorable an impression little Princess as possible To Ozma, herself, and to Atmos, plodding wearily along the rough road, nothing more astonishing sudden appearance of Betsy Bobbin and her friends

"Why Betsy ! " exclaimed the little fairy, running forward joyfully, "Where been ? "

"Did you look Magic Picture and find us ? " asked Betsy, giving Ozma an excited little hug "Oh, Ozma, we've had such lot of adventures and now all go home ! "

Ozma looked doubtful, and even more surprised, for as perfectly well, she looked Magic Picture at all and was as lost as Betsy Bobbin

"And the earth was inhabited by Princesses," gasped the airman, looking in bewilderment from one other "What odd and interesting specimens real ? " he inquired, earnestly tapping Carter chest

"As real as rhubarb," answered the Vegetable Man, with grin " ? But let me introduce the famous Hungry Tiger of Oz "

"He has beautiful mouth-" shuddered Atmos, glancing down sideways tiger-"Er-when shut ? Does he bite, Mr Er-Rhubarb ? "

"Only when I'm hungry," sighed the tiger, rolling his yellow eyes mournfully up at Atmos, "And I'm hungry all the time "

"How extremely dangerous," murmured Atmos, stepping quickly behind the Vegetable Man " little boy creature , too ? "

" ! " laughed Betsy, smiling up at Atmos "He's Prince and we're both helping him find the lost rubies so the Rightful Ruler of Rash "