Then, when all his preparations were made, he set out Yip Country, and climbing the steep mountain at night he entered the house of Cayke the Cookie Cook and stole her diamond-studded gold dishpan while all the Yips were asleep, Taking his prize outside, he set the pan ground and uttered the required magic word Instantly, the dishpan grew as large as big washtub, and Ugu seated himself and grasped the two handles Then himself great drawing room of Glinda the Good

there in flash First the Great Book of Records and put it dishpan Then he went to Glinda's laboratory and took all her rare chemical compounds and her instruments of sorcery, placing these also dishpan, which he caused to grow large enough to hold them Next he seated himself amongst the treasures he had stolen and wished himself room in Ozma's palace which the Wizard occupied and where he kept his bag of magic tools This bag Ugu added plunder and then wished himself apartments of Ozma

Here he first took the Magic Picture wall and then seized all the other magical things which Ozma possessed Having placed these dishpan, about to climb in himself when he looked up and saw Ozma standing beside him Her fairy instinct had warned her that danger was threatening her, so the beautiful girl Ruler rose from her couch and leaving her bedchamber at once confronted the thief

Ugu had quickly, for he realized that if he permitted Ozma to rouse the inmates of her palace, all his plans present successes were likely to naught So he threw scarf over the girl's head so scream, and pushed her dishpan and tied her fast so move Then he climbed in beside her and wished himself own wicker castle The Magic Dishpan was there in an instant, with all its contents, and Ugu rubbed his hands together in triumphant joy as he realized that he now possessed all the important magic Land of Oz and could force all the inhabitants fairyland as he willed

So quickly had his journey been accomplished that before daylight the robber magician had locked Ozma in room, making her prisoner, and had unpacked and arranged all his stolen goods The he placed the Book of Records table and hung the Magic Picture wall and put away cupboards and drawers all the elixirs and magic compounds he had stolen The magical instruments he polished and arranged, and fascinating work and made him very happy

By turns the imprisoned Ruler wept and scolded the Shoemaker, haughtily threatening him with dire punishment wicked deeds he had done Ugu became somewhat afraid fairy prisoner, fact that he believed he had robbed her of all her powers; so he performed an enchantment that quickly disposed of her and placed her out sight and hearing , being occupied with other things, he soon forgot her

But now, when he looked Magic Picture and read the Great Book of Records, the Shoemaker learned that his wickedness was not unchallenged Two important expeditions had set out him and force him up his stolen property One party headed Wizard and Dorothy, while the other consisted of Cayke Frogman Others were also searching, but not right places These two groups, however, were headed straight wicker castle, and so Ugu began how best to meet them and to defeat their efforts to conquer him

CHAPTER 20

MORE SURPRISES

All that first day union two parties, our friends marched steadily toward the wicker castle of Ugu the Shoemaker When night came, they camped in little grove and passed pleasant evening together, although were worried because Button-Bright was still lost

"Perhaps," said Toto animals lay grouped together night, "this Shoemaker who stole my growl and who stole Ozma has also stolen Button-Bright "

"How Shoemaker stole your growl ? " demanded the Woozy

"He has stolen about everything else of value in Oz, hasn't he ? " replied the dog

"He has stolen everything , perhaps," agreed the Lion, "but what could anyone want with your growl ? "

"Well," said the dog, wagging his tail slowly, "my recollection is wonderful growl, soft and low and--and--"

"And ragged edges," said the Sawhorse

"So," continued Toto, " magician hadn't any growl own, wanted mine and stolen it "

"And if he has, soon wish he hadn't," remarked the Mule "Also, if he has stolen Button-Bright, sorry "

"Don't you like Button-Bright, then ? " asked the Lion in surprise

"It isn't question of liking him," replied the Mule "It's question of watching him and looking after him Any boy who causes his friends worry isn't worth having around I never get lost "

"If ," said Toto, "no one would worry bit Button-Bright is very lucky boy because he always gets found "

"See here," said the Lion, "this chatter is keeping us all awake, and tomorrow is likely busy day Go to sleep and forget your quarrels "

"Friend Lion," retorted the dog, "if I hadn't lost my growl, hear it now right to sleep "

The Lion sighed

"If only you had lost your voice lost your growl," said he, " more agreeable companion "

But they quieted down , and soon the entire camp was wrapped in slumber Next morning they made an early start, but had hardly proceeded on their way an hour when, on climbing slight elevation, they beheld distance low mountain on top stood Ugu's wicker castle good-sized building and rather pretty because the sides, roofs and domes were all of wicker, closely woven in fine baskets

"I wonder strong ? "said Dorothy musingly as she eyed the queer castle

"I suppose , since magician built it," answered the Wizard "With magic to protect it, even paper castle as strong made of stone This Ugu man of ideas, because things in different way from other people "

"Yes No one else would steal our dear Ozma," sighed tiny Trot

"I wonder if Ozma ? " said Betsy, indicating the castle with nod of her head

"Where else could she be ? " asked Scraps

"Suppose we Pink Bear," suggested Dorothy

That seemed good idea, so they halted the procession, Bear King held the little Pink Bear lap and turned the crank in its side and asked, "Where is Ozma of Oz ? "

little Pink Bear answered, " in hole ground half mile away at your left "

"Good gracious ! " cried Dorothy

"Then in Ugu's castle at all "

" lucky we asked that question," said the Wizard, "for find Ozma and rescue her, no need to fight that wicked and dangerous magician "

"Indeed ! " said Cayke "Then what dishpan ? "

The Wizard looked puzzled at her tone of remonstrance, so she added, "Didn't you people Emerald City promise that all stick together, help me my dishpan if your Ozma ? And didn't I bring the little Pink Bear, told you where Ozma is hidden ? "

"She's right," said Dorothy Wizard

" do agreed "

"Well, first of all, go and rescue Ozma," proposed the Wizard "Then our beloved Ruler to advise us how to conquer Ugu the Shoemaker " So they turned left and marched for half mile until they came to small but deep hole ground At once, all rushed brim to peer hole, but instead of finding there Princess Ozma of Oz, all saw was Button-Bright, who was lying asleep bottom

Their cries soon wakened the boy, who sat up and rubbed his eyes When he recognized his friends, he smiled sweetly, saying, "Found again ! "

"Where is Ozma ? " inquired Dorothy anxiously

"I don't know," answered Button-Bright depths hole "I got lost yesterday, remember, and night while wandering around moonlight trying my way back , I suddenly fell hole "

"And wasn't Ozma then ? "

" no one but me, and sorry it wasn't entirely empty The sides are so steep 't climb out, so nothing but sleep until someone found me coming 'll please let down rope, I'll empty this hole in hurry "

"How strange ! " said Dorothy, greatly disappointed

"It's evident the Pink Bear didn't tell the truth "

"He never makes mistake," declared the Lavender Bear King in tone that showed his feelings were hurt And then he turned the crank little Pink Bear again and asked, " the hole that Ozma of Oz is in ? "

"Yes," answered the Pink Bear

"That settles it," said the King positively "Your Ozma is hole ground "

"Don't be silly," returned Dorothy impatiently "Even your beady eyes no one hole but Button-Bright "

"Perhaps Button-Bright is Ozma," suggested the King

"And perhaps he isn't !

Ozma is girl, and Button-Bright is boy "

"Your Pink Bear out of order," said the Wizard, "for, , his machinery has caused him an untrue statement "

The Bear King was so angry remark that he turned away, holding the Pink Bear paws, and refused to discuss the matter in any further way

"At any rate," said the Frogman, "the Pink Bear has led us to your boy friend and so enabled you to rescue him "

Scraps was leaning over the hole trying Ozma that suddenly she lost her balance and pitched in head foremost She fell upon Button-Bright and tumbled him over, but not hurt by her soft, stuffed body and only laughed mishap The Wizard buckled some straps together and let one end down hole, and soon both Scraps boy had climbed up and were standing safely beside the others They looked once more for Ozma, but the hole was now absolutely vacant round hole, so top plainly see every part of it left the place, Dorothy went Bear King and said, "I'm sorry we couldn't believe what the little Pink Bear said, 'cause we don't want you feel bad by doubting him mistake, somewhere, and we prob'ly don't understand just what the little Pink Bear said let me ask him one more question ? "