"Pshaw ! " said Button-Bright "HE don't know anything "

"He never makes mistake," declared the King

" once, surely," said Betsy "But perhaps he wouldn't make mistake again "

"He won't have the chance," grumbled the Bear King

" hear what he has ," said Dorothy "It won't do any harm to Pink Bear where Ozma is "

" have him questioned," declared the King in surly voice " intend to allow my little Pink Bear again insulted by your foolish doubts He never makes mistake "

"Didn't he say Ozma was hole ground ? " asked Betsy

" , and certain she was there," replied the Lavender Bear

Scraps laughed jeeringly, others saw no use arguing stubborn Bear King, who seemed absolute faith Pink Bear The Wizard, who knew that magical things can usually be depended upon and little Pink Bear was able to answer questions by some remarkable power of magic, thought it wise to apologize Lavender Bear unbelief friends, same time urging the King to consent to question the Pink Bear once more Cayke Frogman also pleaded big Bear, who finally agreed, although rather ungraciously, the little Bear's wisdom test once more So he sat the little one knee and turned the crank, Wizard himself asked the questions in very respectful tone of voice "Where is Ozma ? " was his first query

"Here room," answered the little Pink Bear

They all looked around the room, but see her "In what part room is she ? " Wizard's next question

"In Button-Bright's pocket," said the little Pink Bear

This reply amazed them all, , and although the three girls smiled and Scraps yelled "Hoo-ray ! " in derision, the Wizard turned to consider the matter with grave thoughtfulness " one of Button-Bright's pockets is Ozma ? " he presently inquired

" left-hand jacket pocket," said the little Pink Bear

"The pink one has gone crazy ! " exclaimed Button-Bright, staring hard little bear big bear's knee

" not so sure ," declared the Wizard "If Ozma proves really in your pocket, then the little Pink Bear spoke truly when Ozma was hole ground For you were also hole, and after we had pulled you out of it, the little Pink Bear said Ozma was not hole "

"He never makes mistake," asserted the Bear King stoutly

"Empty that pocket, Button-Bright, and let's see what's ," requested Dorothy

So Button-Bright laid the contents left jacket pocket table These proved peg top, bunch of string, small rubber ball and golden peach pit "What's this ? " asked the Wizard, picking up the peach pit and examining it closely

"Oh," said the boy, "I saved that to show girls, and then forgot all It came out of lonesome peach that orchard back yonder, and which I ate while lost It looks like gold, and I never saw peach pit like it before "

"Nor I," said the Wizard, " makes it seem suspicious "

All heads were bent over the golden peach pit The Wizard turned it over and then took out his pocket knife and pried the pit open two halves fell apart, pink, cloud-like haze came pouring golden peach pit, almost filling the big room, and haze form took shape and settled beside them Then, haze faded away, sweet voice said, " , my friends ! " and there before them stood their lovely girl Ruler, Ozma of Oz

With cry of delight, Dorothy rushed forward and embraced her Scraps turned gleeful flipflops all around the room Button-Bright gave low whistle of astonishment The Frogman took off his tall hat and bowed low beautiful girl who freed from her enchantment in so startling manner For time, no sound was heard beyond the low murmur of delight that came amazed group, but presently the growl big Lavender Bear grew louder, and in tone of triumph, "He never makes mistake ! "

CHAPTER 25

OZMA OF OZ

"It's funny," said Toto, standing before his friend the Lion and wagging his tail, "but I've found my growl at last ! positive now the cruel magician who stole it "

"Let's hear your growl," requested the Lion

"G-r-r-r-r-r ! " said Toto

" fine," declared the big beast "It isn't as loud or as deep growl big Lavender Bear, but very respectable growl for small dog Where did you find it, Toto ? "

" smelling corner yonder," said Toto, "when suddenly mouse ran out--and I growled "

The others were all busy congratulating Ozma, who was very happy at being released confinement golden peach pit, where the magician had placed her notion that she never found or liberated

"And only ," cried Dorothy, "that Button-Bright carrying you pocket all , and we never knew it ! "

"The little Pink Bear told you," said the Bear King, "but you wouldn't believe him "

"Never mind, my dears," said Ozma graciously, "all is well that ends well, and you couldn't be expected inside the peach pit Indeed, I feared remain captive much longer than , for Ugu is bold and clever magician, and he had hidden me very securely "

"You were in fine peach," said Button-Bright, "the best I ever ate "

"The magician was foolish to peach so tempting," remarked the Wizard, "but Ozma would lend beauty to any transformation "

"How did you manage to conquer Ugu the Shoemaker ? " inquired the girl Ruler of Oz

Dorothy started the story, and Trot helped her, and Button-Bright wanted to relate it own way, Wizard tried it clear to Ozma, and Betsy had to remind them of important things they left out, and all together such chatter wonder that Ozma understood any of it But she listened patiently, with smile on her lovely face at their eagerness, and presently had gleaned all the details adventures

Ozma thanked the Frogman very earnestly assistance, and she advised Cayke the Cookie Cook to dry her weeping eyes, for she promised her Emerald City that her cherished dishpan was restored to her Then the beautiful Ruler took chain of emeralds from around her own neck and placed it around the neck little Pink Bear

"Your wise answers questions friends," said she, "helped them to rescue me Therefore deeply grateful and to your noble King "

The bead eyes little Pink Bear stared unresponsive praise until the Big Lavender Bear turned the crank in its side, when it said in its squeaky voice, "I thank Your Majesty "

" part," returned the Bear King, "I you were well worth saving, Miss Ozma, and so much pleased that of service Magic Wand creating exact images of your Emerald City and your Royal Palace, and confess more attractive than any places ever seen--not excepting Bear Center "

" like to entertain you in my palace," returned Ozma sweetly, "and welcome to return with me and me long visit, if your bear subjects can spare you from your own kingdom "

"As ," answered the King, "my kingdom causes me little worry, and I often find it somewhat tame and uninteresting Therefore to accept your kind invitation Corporal Waddle trusted to care bears in my absence "

"And you'll bring the little Pink Bear ? " asked Dorothy eagerly

" , my dear willingly part "

They remained wicker castle for three days, carefully packing all the magical things that stolen by Ugu and also taking whatever way of magic the shoemaker had inherited ancestors "For," said Ozma, " forbidden any subjects except Glinda the Good Wizard of Oz to practice magical arts, because trusted good and not harm Therefore Ugu must never again be permitted to work magic of any sort "

"Well," remarked Dorothy cheerfully, "a dove can't do much way of magic, anyhow, and I'm going Ugu form of dove until he reforms and becomes good and honest shoemaker "

When everything was packed and loaded backs animals, they set out river, taking more direct route than that Cayke Frogman had come they avoided the Cities of Thi and Herku and Bear Center and after pleasant journey reached the Winkie River and found jolly ferryman who had fine, big boat and was willing to carry the entire party by water to place quite near Emerald City

The river had many windings and many branches, journey end in day, but finally the boat floated into pretty lake but short distance from Ozma's home Here the jolly ferryman was rewarded labors, and then the entire party set out in grand procession to march Emerald City News Royal Ozma found spread quickly neighborhood, and both sides road soon became lined with loyal subjects beautiful and beloved Ruler Therefore Ozma's ears heard little but cheers, and her eyes beheld little else than waving handkerchiefs and banners during all the triumphal march lake city's gates