The Blanks cried loudly were searching for boy, but the tailor pretended not to understand and, after poking shop bit, they finally took themselves off Snip, who had one eye glued cupboard door, saw them streaming street, their plumed hats trembling with indignation, their buckled shoes twinkling speed invisible feet

last Blank turned the corner, whirr air and in window flashed two butterflies But were they butterflies ? Next instant they had fluttered over and attached themselves old tailor's head

"Not butterflies, but butterfly ears ! " gasped Snip, falling headlong cupboard shock thing

"It's all right," smiled the tailor, adjusting the ears quickly and looking kindly over at Snip "And dear, dear, what strange story my left ear is telling me ! "

"Do your ears tell you stories ? " asked Snip, forgetting his own troubles for moment

"Yes The left one tells me that an elephant has run off with little girl," mused the tailor, wiping his specs "Fancy that, now ! "

Snip could hear faint buzzing and eyed the old gentleman's ears with growing interest and respect

"There, there, do," muttered the Tailor at last, giving his left ear little pinch " to hear this young gentleman's story, so please be quiet and attend "

Immediately both ears tilted toward Snip and, fearful lest they fly off before finish, the little button boy poured out the whole history adventures time he left Kimbaloo fall down the strange well

"Ozma ! " sighed the tailor, brushing his hand absently across his brow "Is Ozma Queen of Oz now ? I've been prisoner here I've forgotten everything You say witch, Mombi, transformed and hid her father and now proposes and restore him throne ? goose ? Whom did you say ? "

"Pajuka Prime Minister," puffed Snip hastily "He's been trying for years and years the King himself If someone doesn't help him soon, and get him away from Mombi, he'll be roasted or eaten or lost ! "

Snip opened his hand, where still clutched moist grasp were the feathers he had pulled from Pajuka's wing as he fell down the well The tailor leaned forward to examine them As so, gold feather separated itself white, fluttered for moment air and then sailed straight window It golden feather that, , took the magic message Emerald City, but as neither Snip nor the old tailor could follow its flight, they stood gaping after it in perfect astonishment

"Why I didn't know Pajuka had any gold feathers How did it fly off by itself ? Oh dear, someone would help me find him," wailed the little button boy dismally "Couldn't you, Mister-Mister- ? "

"Just plain Tora," put tailor, rubbing his forehead absently "Well, it's mighty queer business, Snip I'd like to , but I've all this work " The old man waved wearily toward the racks and stacks of unfinished cloaks and waistcoats

" you make clothes ? " Snip jerked his thumb indignantly over his shoulder

The tailor nodded "Have to," he added miserably "Been at it for years and years "

"Do they pay you ? " asked the little button boy in surprise

"Well, they let me live house, plenty to eat Besides, 't get away," finished the old man, sinking down on three-legged stool and letting his head drop heavily hands

"But you're not invisible like How did you happen here anyway ? "

The tailor pushed his specs up forehead "Seems I'd always been here," he mourned dolefully, "stitching, stitching, stitching and never getting done If I try gate," he pointed window into small yard, "if I try gate some invisible force holds me back So what can ? But my ears, he continued more cheerfully " go off whenever they please tell me what's going on and keep me pretty happy "

"Well, I wouldn't stand it," exclaimed Snip, thrusting his hands deep into his pockets and staring down sympathetically old man strange ears, something so gentle and lovable old tailor that Snip bear him unhappy "I'd get away somehow," declared the little boy earnestly

Tora shook his head hopelessly "The thing , is you away come back," he sighed, taking an old silver watch vest pocket "The Blanks are great eaters and wouldn't miss their breakfasts for fortune So now's the best time Come on, I'll show you the way Farewell You it gate "

"Is only way out ? " groaned Snip that one experience with well quite enough for him

"Only way ," answered Tora, taking down his coat from peg "You reach Blanken-burg Well-come and leave Fare-well "

Sticking his needle lapel, he started rapidly door and, feeling very mixed up indeed, Snip hurried after him not Blank in sight stepped into Tora's yard and Snip, looking handsome dwellings on both sides street, thought like more strange city bright pink blanket flew from castle which stood end square and Tora explained national emblem Blanks

There were hundred questions tip of Snip's tongue For instance, how the Blanks had come invisible and how Tora himself had come such wonderful ears, but the old gentleman was so anxious for him safely off that he time for single question

" capture you reach the well, not to let them wash your face," warned Tora earnestly, "for wash your face, disappear Remember don't wash your face, whatever happens "

an easy promise for little boy and, following the direction of Tora's long finger, Snip saw stone well small park corner street

"Good-bye ! " sighed the old man, giving him wistful pat shoulder " ever find this King or reach the Emerald City, tell someone about old Tora, ? "

"I'll tell Ozma; I'll tell everybody ! " promised the little button boy settling his cap determinedly Then, because he hated to leave Tora looking so sad, he seized him suddenly hand "Why don't you try gate now ? " urged Snip "Come on, I'll ! " As he spoke, he kicked open the gate heel, stepped out and began to tug tailor's coat

"No use," began the old man "No use away

Before finish the sentence Snip had dragged him entirely through For an instant he stood staring back uncertainly at his little shop with its shabby sign, "The Tired Tailor of Oz " He had printed it to amuse himself one stormy evening Snatching piece of chalk pocket, while Snip danced up and down with anxiety and impatience, Tora dashed back and scribbled two letters second word

"The Re-Tired Tailor of Oz," said the sign now, and with long, gusty chuckle, the old man grasped Snip hand and ran with all his might toward the Fare-well

The Blanks were evidently still at breakfast, and Tora and Snip made their way deserted streets of Blankenburg without meeting soul In jiffy they came Fare-well, both out of breath but happy near to freedom

CHAPTER 14

The Old Tailor's Story

SNIP was just gathering his courage for jump down the well when Tora lifted him up and dropped him gently over the edge Again that terrifying swoop darkness " ," gulped Snip dizzily, as he turned over and over, " think nothing of falling out of button tree, or down flight of steps Perhaps I'll try fall every day just in practice " With breathless bump, Snip landed padded bucket, putting an end curious thoughts Before he had time for any others, he had shot through another underground passage and up and well force that he rolled like ball soft green moss When he stopped rolling Tora sitting beside him, smoothing down his long silver locks and untangling his whiskers

"Are your ears on tight ? " asked Snip anxiously, would certainly be dreadful thing tailor's ears left behind Tora put up his hand quickly to touch them and then, with pleased nod, arose feet

"You've brought me good luck, Snip," smiled the old gentleman "I've tried hundred times to escape Blanks, but never could get gate "

"Well, , helped me," said Snip "Now that escaped, where go ? remember where you lived before ? "

"I remember nothing," acknowledged the tailor sorrowfully, "so I'm going and after this good goose you speak of King, I'll just look around for another shop tailor has no cause to worry, and I've all my tools right with me " He chuckled, jingling his pockets cheerfully

Snip had to smile himself, for Tora certainly did look like walking workshop Around his neck were three long tape measures Through tapes vest there hung dozen pairs of scissors and shears of all sizes Fastened coat was huge pin cushion and both lapels were stuck full of needles As pockets, they simply bulged with spools of silk, beeswax and thread