"Why the names told us," whispered Dorothy to Snip, whom she had dragged into corner confidence "Tora the tailor and Pastoria, the King How did we ever miss it ? "

Snip shook his head and looked over contentedly at his two best friends It seemed Ozma and her father would never stop hugging one another but at last, little daughter right and faithful Pajuka left, with Humpy standing importantly behind him and Snip lap, the King sat down upon his throne and insisted upon hearing all that had happened during his weary exil -- years he in Blankenburg blank indeed

Taking turns, Dorothy, Trot and Ozma did their best to satisfy him Then Pastoria, himself, told how Lurline, Queen Fairy Band, had come shop, tried to disenchant him and when she found Mombi's magic too strong for her, had bestowed upon him his remarkable flying ears

"I'm going to miss those ears," sighed the King, touching his tight-on ones regretfully, "but it's fine back just the same and my own dear little girl again ! "

" still two things I don't understand," mused Dorothy, as Pastoria finished speaking "Why did I change size in California, and how get away from Blankenburg till Snip helped you ? "

"Both very easy to account for," explained the Wizard of Oz, who was some part in clearing up the mysteries " had lived in America as long lived in Oz, quite young lady by now, so , reached California, you resumed your proper age

"Then I'm never going back," decided Dorothy, recalling her strange experience with shudder, "for I'm never going to grow up at all "

"The King was released by Snip," continued the Wizard, paying no attention to Dorothy's remarks, "because kindness and generosity always dull green magic, and, while Snip entirely restore the King, he broke part enchantment "

still to wonder and exclaim about were all so famished with hunger that Ozma ordered up splendid feast and in all the annals of Oz there has never been more delightful nor merrier one

The King and Ozma sat head long table, Snip and Pajuka foot, while ranged between were all adventurers and all the dear celebrities of Oz Mombi securely locked up cellar with supper of bread and milk and Kabumpo, free troublesome charge, had three bales of hay, nicely mixed with peanuts

Snip, looking sideways at Pajuka, marveled how he had once carried the huge Prime Minister forest still something in Pajuka's walk and expression that reminded Snip white goose, for all during the evening at some pains to conceal his yawns

Well, with one dainty coming other, and one story following the next, the dinner proceeded gaily enough, till no one, not even the Hungry Tiger, could eat another bite And then it Pastoria rose and, turning to Ozma, furnished the last surprise exceedingly surprising day

" rejoiced," began the King deep, pleasant voice, " this beautiful castle and city, built during my absence by our clever Wizard, and prosperity and greatness of Oz have increased during my exile Feeling largely due wise rule lovely little daughter, I now and hereby abdicate in her favor ! "

Removing the emerald crown the Scarecrow had hastily brought treasury, the King placed it solemnly on Ozma's dark curls

"But you're not going away ! " cried Ozma, catching hold arm in great distress

"Has your Majesty considered this enough ? " protested Pajuka, jumping up in hurry " you- we-going ? "

"Open tailor shop," smiled the King, "right here Emerald City-the finest tailoring shop in Oz ," continued his Majesty, looking trifle embarrassed, "I've grown awfully fond of tailoring and whole I'm better tailor than King ! "

moment's silence singular announcement Then, realizing the geneosity and wisdom decision, the whole company burst into thunderous applause

"Then everything the same Oh, goody goody ! " exulted Betsy Bobbin, squeezing Trot's hand under the table "Isn't he perfect dear ? "

"Instead of King's double, I'm tailor's dummy," sighed Humpy resignedly "Oh well, I don't care, but you'll have me another suit "

"I'll make you tailored suit I'll make you all suits," promised the King enthusiastically

"Put plenty of pockets in mine ! " puffed Pajuka sinking into his seat with another yawn

"I'll need boy in my shop, too," smiled the King, looking down the long table "How , Snip ? stay ? "

"A good place for button boy," giggled Scraps, while Snip himself blushed with pleasure and excitement

"Oh, I'd love to ! " cried Snip "But may I go back to Kimbaloo first and tell Kinda Jolly where ? "

" , ," promised the royal tailor, beaming upon everyone "And now, all tired and sleepy" (the King winked at Pajuka who was trying to hide another monstrous yawn) "I move that we all retire "

" the second time you've retired today," laughed Snip, pushing back his chair and running to open the door Majesty For abdication they all felt that Pastoria was real King

"Oh, isn't everything turning out splendidly ? " sighed Dorothy, pressing the Scarecrow's arm "The King lot happier as tailor and every tailor needs dummy, takes care of Humpy And won't it be fun Snip Emerald City ? "

" say ! " grinned the Scarecrow, and then, because nobody could stay awake another minute, they bade good night and hurried off to bed

Snip Prime Minister shared sumptuous apartment east wing and, hearing strange noise night, Snip sat up in alarm Pajuka's bed was empty, but standing on one leg over window and snoring like goodfellow (which indeed ) stood the huge Prime Minister, his head resting peacefully shoulder

"He thinks he's still goose," smiled Snip, snuggling down under the covers

CHAPTER 21

The Grand Procession

THE grand procession streets Emerald City, in honor long lost King of Oz The Elegant Elephant led off, the King and Humpy dressed exactly alike riding proudly back Next rode Ozma famous Saw Horse; then came the Cowardly Lion, carrying Dorothy and Snip; then the Hungry Tiger with Betsy and Trot

Pajuka, astride the Comfortable Camel, was sight worth seeing, huge Prime Minister was splendidly costumed Besides this, he had pipe in each hand, taking first puff from one and then puff other, almost hidden in clouds of smoke Sir Hokus, Doubtful Dromedary, bowed politely many friends and acquaintances Scraps Scarecrow followed the Knight and after them marched Tik Tok, the Soldier Green Whiskers and all the other famous folk palace, down smallest page Slowly and majestically they circled the city, returning tired out, but well satisfied, cool and fragrant gardens palace

"Now," sighed Ozma, sliding down Saw Horse, " nothing left but punish Mombi What shall with Mombi ? "

"Turn her to cooky, and then eat her up without my conscience troubling me," purred the Hungry Tiger, thumping his tail lazily up and down grass

"She'd make an awfully stale cooky," sniffed Scraps, swinging herself expertly up into tree "Turn her into rock and throw her away

" put her out like the other witches ? " asked Dorothy, fanning herself with her best crown, which she had worn in honor occasion "Water will finish her once and forever ! "

"I believe ," mused Ozma " , if father thinks all right ? " The King, with huge pair of gold specs nose, was busily measuring Snip for suit, and nodded absently at his royal daughter "Anything you say, my dear," said the royal tailor, writing down the measurements in little book

So off ran Sir Hokus Scarecrow to carry out the sentence, returning with Mombi's buckled shoes, all that remained old Gilliken Witch and her temper She washed out with water, and would never bother anyone in Oz again

Just royal party was trooping palace for lunch, page rushed out to announce visitor General Whiffenpuff and loud noise whom he introduced Invisible Cook Travelling night and day, and searching everywhere for Mombi and Snip, he had finally reached the Emerald City and found the famous cook recommended Town Laugher of Kimbaloo His delight at seeing the little button boy safe and sound was only exceeded by his astonishment at Snip's marvelous adventures, but cook, for all her invisibility, had bad habit of treading general's toes, anxious to return to Kimbaloo and turn her over to Kinda Jolly

"I'll take you back," volunteered Kabumpo carelessly "It's on my way home anyhow " The Elegant Elephant was also anxious off and acquaint the court of Pumperdink important events that had transpired to display the emerald head-piece Ozma had given him, and dazzle the courtiers silver robe bestowed upon him kingly tailor of Oz So after quick luncheon, quick exchange of good-byes and good wishes, the pompous old elephant took his departure, carrying back brave General Whiffenpuff, the Invisible Cook gallant little button boy of Kimbaloo

"Hurry back ! " called the King, waving his silver shears anxiously at Snip " you ! "

"Hurry back," called Pajuka, blinking his eyes from crying, "I'll miss you ! "

" ! " promised Snip, nearly crying himself " ! " The last thing the little button boy saw Prime Minister diving fully dressed pond Pajuka had again forgotten no longer goose

* * *

peek Emerald City this very minute see that splendid tailoring shop set up next palace-a splendid shop, where the retired King and Snip work happily for part day and hold court rest And wherever you find the royal tailor you'll be pretty sure his cheerful double

THE END