"Is Dorothy the little girl who came here from Kansas ? " asked the boy

"Yes In Kansas she was Dorothy Gale I used her there, and she brought me Land of Oz But now Ozma her Princess, and Dorothy's Aunt Em and Uncle Henry are here, too " Here the Shaggy Man uttered long sigh, and then he continued: "It's queer country, this Land of Oz; but I like it, nevertheless "

" queer ? " asked Scraps

"You, for instance," said he

"Did no girls as beautiful as in your own country ? " she inquired

"None same gorgeous, variegated beauty," he confessed "In America girl stuffed with cotton wouldn't be alive, nor would anyone think of making girl out of patchwork quilt "

"What queer country America ! " she exclaimed in great surprise "The Scarecrow, whom you say is wise, told me the most beautiful creature he has ever seen "

" ; and perhaps --from scarecrow point of view," replied the Shaggy Man; but why he smiled as it Scraps imagine

drew nearer Emerald City the travelers were filled with admiration splendid scenery they beheld Handsome houses stood on both sides road and each had green lawn before it as pretty flower garden

"In another hour," said the Shaggy Man, " come in sight walls Royal City "

walking ahead, with Scraps, and behind them came the Woozy Glass Cat Ojo had lagged behind, for warnings he had received the boy's eyes were fastened clover that bordered the road of yellow bricks and eager to discover if such thing as six-leaved clover really existed

Suddenly he stopped short and bent over to examine the ground more closely Yes; here at last was clover with six spreading leaves He counted them carefully, sure In an instant his heart leaped with joy, for important things he had come for-- things restore dear Unc Nunkie to life

He glanced ahead and saw that none companions was looking back Neither were people about, for midway between two houses The temptation was too strong resisted

" search for weeks and weeks, and never find another six-leaved clover," himself, and quickly plucking the stem plant he placed the prized clover basket, covering it other things he carried there Then, trying to look nothing had happened, he hurried forward and overtook his comrades

The Emerald City, the most splendid most beautiful city in any fairyland, is surrounded by high, thick wall of green marble, polished smooth and set with glistening emeralds four gates, one facing the Munchkin Country, one facing the Country Winkies, one facing the Country Quadlings and one facing the Country Gillikins The Emerald City lies directly center four important countries of Oz The gates had bars of pure gold, and on either side of each gateway were built high towers, floated gay banners Other towers were set at distances along the walls, which were broad enough for four people to walk abreast upon

This enclosure, all green and gold and glittering with precious gems, was indeed wonderful sight to greet our travelers, who first observed it top of little hill; but beyond the wall vast city it surrounded, and hundreds of jeweled spires, domes and minarets, flaunting flags and banners, reared their crests far above the towers gateways center city our friends the tops of many magnificent trees, some nearly as tall spires buildings, Shaggy Man told them trees were royal gardens of Princess Ozma

They stood hilltop, feasting their eyes splendor Emerald City

"Whee ! " exclaimed Scraps, clasping her padded hands in ecstacy, "that'll do to live in, all right No more Munchkin Country patches--and no more Crooked Magician ! "

"Why, you belong to Dr Pipt," replied Ojo, looking at her in amazement "You were made for servant, Scraps, so personal property and not your own mistress "

"Bother Dr Pipt ! If me, let him come here and get me I'll not go back den own accord; that's certain place Land of Oz is fit to live in, 's the Emerald City It's lovely ! It's almost as beautiful as , Ojo "

" country," remarked the Shaggy Man, "people live wherever our Ruler tells them to It wouldn't do everyone live Emerald City, , for some must plow the land and raise grains and fruits and vegetables, while others chop wood forests, or fish rivers, or herd the sheep cattle "

"Poor things ! " said Scraps

"I'm not sure happier city people," replied the Shaggy Man "There's freedom and independence in country life that not even the Emerald City can give one that lots city people would like back land The Scarecrow lives country, and so Tin Woodman and Jack Pumpkinhead; yet all three welcome to live in Ozma's palace cared to splendor becomes tiresome, But, 're to reach the Emerald City before sundown, hurry, is yet long way off "

The entrancing sight city had put new energy into them all hurried forward with lighter steps than before much to interest them along the roadway, houses were now set more closely together met people who were coming or going from one place or another All these seemed happy-faced, pleasant people, who nodded graciously strangers passed, and exchanged words of greeting

At last they reached the great gateway, just sun was setting and adding its red glow glitter emeralds green walls and spires Somewhere inside the city band heard playing sweet music; soft, subdued hum, as of many voices, reached their ears; neighboring yards came the low mooing of cows waiting milked

They were almost gate golden bars slid back and tall soldier stepped out and faced them Ojo thought he had never seen so tall man before The soldier wore handsome green and gold uniform, with tall hat in waving plume, and he had belt thickly encrusted with jewels But the most peculiar thing about him was his long green beard, which fell far below his waist and perhaps made him seem taller than he really was

"Halt ! " said the Soldier Green Whiskers, not in stern voice but rather in friendly tone

They halted before he spoke and stood looking at him

"Good evening, Colonel," said the Shaggy Man "What's the news since I left ? Anything important ? "

"Billina has hatched out thirteen new chickens," replied the Soldier Green Whiskers, " 're the cutest little fluffy yellow balls you ever saw The Yellow Hen is mighty proud children, tell you "

"She has right ," agreed the Shaggy Man "Let me see; that's about seven thousand chicks she has hatched out; isn't it, General ? "

"That, ," reply " to visit Billina and congratulate her "

" pleasure to ," said the Shaggy Man "But observe that brought some strangers home with me going them Dorothy "

"One moment, please," said the soldier, barring their way started to enter the gate " on duty, and orders to execute Is anyone in your party named Ojo the Unlucky ? "

"Why, that's me ! " cried Ojo, astonished at hearing his name lips of stranger

The Soldier Green Whiskers nodded " so," said he, "and sorry to announce my painful duty to arrest you "

"Arrest me ! " exclaimed the boy "What for ? "

"I haven't looked ," answered the soldier Then he drew paper breast pocket and glanced at it "Oh, yes; arrested for willfully breaking Laws of Oz "

"Breaking law ! " said Scraps "Nonsense, Soldier; you're joking "

"Not ," returned the soldier, with sigh "My dear child-- you, rummage sale or guess-me-quick ? --in me you behold the Body- Guard gracious Ruler, Princess Ozma, Royal Army of Oz Police Force Emerald City "

"And man ! " exclaimed the Patchwork Girl