"But wrong," said Scraps "Ozma is wrong-- all wrong--for Ojo has broken no Law "

"Then soon be free again," replied the Soldier Green Whiskers "Anyone accused of crime is given fair trial by our Ruler and has every chance his innocence But just now Ozma's orders obeyed "

pocket pair of handcuffs made of gold and set with rubies and diamonds, and these he snapped over Ojo's wrists

Chapter Fifteen

Ozma's Prisoner

The boy was so bewildered calamity that no resistance at all guilty, but it surprised him that Ozma also knew it He wondered how she had found out so soon that he had picked the six-leaved clover He handed his basket to Scraps and said:

"Keep that, until I get out of prison If I never get out, take it Crooked Magician, it belongs "

The Shaggy Man gazing earnestly boy's face, uncertain whether to defend him or not; but something he read in Ojo's expression made him draw back and refuse to interfere to save him The Shaggy Man was greatly surprised and grieved, but that Ozma never made mistakes and so Ojo must really have broken the Law of Oz

The Soldier Green Whiskers now led them all gate and into little room built wall Here sat jolly little man, richly dressed in green and having around his neck heavy gold chain number of great golden keys were attached the Guardian Gate and moment they entered his room playing tune upon mouth-organ

"Listen ! " , holding up his hand for silence "I've just composed tune called 'The Speckled Alligator ' It's in patch-time, much superior to rag-time, and I've composed it in honor Patchwork Girl, who has just arrived "

"How did I had arrived ? " asked Scraps, much interested

"It's my business who's coming, for I'm the Guardian Gate Keep quiet while I play you 'The Speckled Alligator '"

It wasn't very bad tune, nor one, but all listened respectfully while he shut his eyes and swayed his head from side to side and blew the notes little instrument When all over the Soldier Green Whiskers said:

"Guardian, here prisoner "

"Good gracious ! prisoner ? " cried the little man, jumping up chair "Which one ? Not the Shaggy Man ? "

"No; this boy "

"Ah; his fault is as small as himself," said the Guardian Gate "But what can he , and what made him ? "

"Can't say," replied the soldier "All he has broken the Law "

"But no one ever does that ! "

"Then innocent, and soon released right, Guardian Just now ordered him to prison Get me prisoner's robe from your Official Wardrobe "

The Guardian unlocked closet and took white robe, which the soldier threw over Ojo It covered him from head to foot, but had two holes just in front eyes, so he where attire the boy presented very quaint appearance

Guardian unlocked gate leading room streets Emerald City, the Shaggy Man said to Scraps:

" take you directly to Dorothy, Scarecrow advised, Glass Cat Woozy may come Ojo must go to prison Soldier Green Whiskers, but well treated and not worry about him "

" ? " asked Scraps

"That tell Since Land of Oz no one has ever been arrested or imprisoned-- until Ojo broke the Law "

"Seems that girl Ruler of yours is making big fuss over nothing," remarked Scraps, tossing her yarn hair out of her eyes with jerk of her patched head "I don't know what Ojo , but it couldn't be anything very bad, and I were all the time "

The Shaggy Man made no reply speech and presently the Patchwork Girl forgot all about Ojo in her admiration wonderful city she had entered

They soon separated Munchkin boy, who was led Soldier Green Whiskers down side street toward the prison Ojo felt very miserable and greatly ashamed of himself, but beginning to grow angry because treated disgraceful manner Instead of entering the splendid Emerald City as respectable traveler who was entitled to welcome and to hospitality, being brought in as criminal, handcuffed and in robe that told all he met deep disgrace

Ojo was by nature gentle and affectionate and if he had disobeyed the Law of Oz to restore his dear Unc Nunkie to life His fault was more thoughtless than wicked, but that alter the fact that he had committed fault At first he had felt sorrow and remorse, but the more he thought unjust treatment he had received--unjust merely because he considered it so--the more he resented his arrest, blaming Ozma for making foolish laws and then punishing folks who broke them Only six-leaved clover ! tiny green plant growing neglected and trampled under foot What harm could there be in picking it ? Ojo began Ozma very bad and oppressive Ruler for such lovely fairyland as Oz The Shaggy Man said the people loved her; but how could they ?

The little Munchkin boy was so busy thinking these things--which many guilty prisoners have thought before him--that he scarcely noticed all the splendor city streets through which they passed Whenever they met any happy, smiling people, the boy turned his head away in shame, although none knew who was beneath the robe

By and by they reached house built just beside the great city wall, but in quiet, retired place pretty house, neatly painted and with many windows Before garden filled with blooming flowers The Soldier Green Whiskers led Ojo up the gravel path front door, he knocked

woman opened the door and, seeing Ojo white robe, exclaimed:

"Goodness me ! prisoner at last But what small one, Soldier "

"The size doesn't matter, Tollydiggle, my dear The fact remains that prisoner," said the soldier "And, this being the prison, and you the jailer, my duty the prisoner in your charge "

"True Come in, then, and I'll receipt for him "

They entered the house and passed through hall to large circular room, where the woman pulled the robe off from Ojo and looked at him with kindly interest The boy, part, was gazing around him in amazement, for never had he dreamed magnificent apartment he stood The roof dome was of colored glass, worked into beautiful designs The walls were paneled with plates of gold decorated with gems of great size and many colors, and tiled floor were soft rugs delightful to walk upon The furniture was framed in gold and upholstered in satin brocade and it consisted of easy chairs, divans and stools in great variety Also there were several tables with mirror tops and cabinets filled with rare and curious things In one place case filled with books stood against the wall, and elsewhere Ojo saw cupboard containing all sorts of games

"May I stay here little while before I go to prison ? " asked the boy, pleadingly

"Why, your prison," replied Tollydiggle, "and in me behold your jailor Take off those handcuffs, Soldier, is impossible for anyone to escape house "

" that ," replied the soldier and at once unlocked the handcuffs and released the prisoner

The woman touched button wall and lighted big chandelier that hung suspended ceiling, for growing dark outside Then she seated herself at desk and asked:

"What name ? "

"Ojo the Unlucky," answered the Soldier Green Whiskers

"Unlucky ? Ah, that accounts ," said she "What crime ? "

"Breaking Law of Oz "

"All right There's your receipt, Soldier; and now I'm responsible prisoner I'm glad of it, for first time I've ever had anything , in my official capacity," remarked the jailer, in pleased tone

"It's the same with me, Tollydiggle," laughed the soldier "But my task is finished and go and report to Ozma that I've done my duty like faithful Police Force, loyal Army and an honest Body-Guard--as "

Saying this, he nodded farewell to Tollydiggle and Ojo and went away

"Now, then," said the woman briskly, " get you some supper, are doubtless hungry What would you prefer: planked whitefish, omelet with jelly or mutton-chops with gravy ? "

Ojo thought Then : "I'll chops, please "

" ; amuse yourself while I'm gone; I won't be long," and then she went out by door and left the prisoner alone