The prospect awful fate so frightened the officers drew their swords and rushed upon Files, who stood beside Shaggy, in truly ferocious manner The next instant, however, they halted and again fell upon their knees; for there, before them, glistening Love Magnet, held hand smiling Shaggy Man, sight magic talisman at once won the heart of every Oogabooite Even Ann saw the Love Magnet, and forgetting all enmity and anger threw herself upon Shaggy and embraced him lovingly

Quite disconcerted unexpected effect Magnet, Shaggy disengaged himself Queen's encircling arms and quickly hid the talisman pocket The adventurers from Oogaboo were now his firm friends, and no more talk about conquering and binding any party

" insist on conquering anyone," said Shaggy, " march with me underground Kingdom of Ruggedo To conquer the world, set out , conquer everyone under its surface upon its surface, and no one in all the world needs conquering as Ruggedo "

" he ? " asked Ann

"The Metal Monarch, King Nomes "

"Is he rich ? " inquired Major Stockings in an anxious voice

" ," answered Shaggy "He owns all the metal that lies underground--gold, silver, copper, brass and tin He has an idea he also owns all the metals above ground, for all metal was once part kingdom So, by conquering the Metal Monarch, win all the riches "

"Ah ! " exclaimed General Apple, heaving deep sigh, " plunder worth our while Let's conquer him, Your Majesty "

The Queen looked reproachfully at Files, who was sitting next lovely Princess and whispering in her ear

"Alas," said Ann, " no longer an Army plenty of brave officers, indeed, but no private soldier to command Therefore conquer Ruggedo and win all his wealth "

"Why don't you make one of your officers the Private ? " asked Shaggy; but at once every officer began to protest Queen of Oogaboo shook her head as she replied:

" impossible private soldier terrible fighter, and my officers are unable to fight exceptionally brave in commanding others to fight, but themselves meet the enemy and conquer "

"Very true, Your Majesty," said Colonel Plum, eagerly " many kinds of bravery and one expected to possess them all I myself am brave as lion in all ways until it comes to fighting, but then my nature revolts Fighting is unkind and liable injurious to others; so, being gentleman, I never fight "

"Nor I ! " shouted each other officers

" ," said Ann, "how helpless Private Files proved himself traitor and deserter, gladly have conquered this Ruggedo; but an Army without private soldier is like bee without stinger "

" not traitor, Your Majesty," protested Files "I resigned in proper manner, not liking the job But plenty of people my place make Shaggy Man the private soldier ? "

" killed," said Ann, looking tenderly at Shaggy, "for mortal, and able to die If anything happened to him, it would break my heart "

"It would hurt me worse than that," declared Shaggy " admit, Your Majesty, that commander expedition, is my brother seeking, rather than plunder But I and my companions would like the assistance of your Army, and to conquer Ruggedo and to rescue my brother from captivity allow you all the gold and jewels and other plunder find "

This prospect was so tempting officers began whispering together and presently Colonel Cheese said: "Your Majesty, by combining our brains just evolved most brilliant idea Clockwork Man the private soldier ! "

"Who ? Me ? " asked Tik-Tok "Not for sin-gle sec-ond ! -not fight, and not for-get Rug-ge-do who threw me well "

" you had no gun," said Polychrome "But join the Army of Oogaboo carry the gun that Mr Files used "

"A sol-dier a-ble to run fight," protested Tik-Tok, "and works run down, of-ten do, nei-ther run nor fight "

"I'll keep you wound up, Tik-Tok," promised Betsy

"Why, it isn't bad idea," said Shaggy "Tik- Tok will make an ideal soldier, for nothing can injure him except sledge hammer And, since private soldier necessary Army, Tik-Tok only party fitted to undertake the job "

"What must ? " asked Tik-Tok

"Obey orders," replied Ann " officers command you anything, ; all "

" 's enough, too," said Files

"Do I get salary ? " inquired Tik-Tok

"You get your share plunder," answered the Queen

"Yes," remarked Files, "one-half plunder goes to Queen Ann, the other half is divided officers, Private gets the rest "

" sat-is-fac-tor-y," said Tik-Tok, picking up the gun and examining it wonderingly, for he had never before seen such weapon

Then Ann strapped the knapsack to Tik-Tok's copper back and said: "Now ready to march to Ruggedo's Kingdom and conquer it Officers, give the command to march "

"Fall--in ! " yelled the Generals, drawing their swords

"Fall--in ! " cried the Colonels, drawing their swords

"Fall--in ! " shouted the Majors, drawing their swords

"Fall--in ! " bawled the Captains, drawing their swords

Tik-Tok looked at them and then around him in surprise

"Fall in what ? The well ? " he asked

"No," said Queen Ann, " fall in marching order "

"Can-not I march without fall-ing in- ? " asked the Clockwork Man

"Shoulder your gun and stand ready to march," advised Files; so Tik-Tok held the gun straight and stood still

"What next ? " he asked

The Queen turned to Shaggy

"Which road leads Metal Monarch's cavern ? "

"We don't know, Your Majesty," reply

"But absurd ! " said Ann with frown " 't get to Ruggedo, certain that 't conquer him "

" right," admitted Shaggy; "but get to him only to discover the way, matter we were considering and your magnificent Army arrived here "

"Well, then, get busy and discover it," snapped the Queen

That was no easy task They all stood looking from one road to another in perplexity The paths radiated little clearing like the rays midday sun, and each path seemed like all the others

Files Rose Princess, who had become good friends, advanced little way along roads and found bordered by pretty wild flowers

"Why don't you flowers you the way ? " companion

"The flowers ? " returned the Princess, surprised question

" ," said Files "The field-flowers second-cousins to Rose Princess, and I believe ask them tell you "

She looked more closely flowers There were hundreds of white daisies, golden buttercups, bluebells and daffodils growing roadside, and each flower-head was firmly set upon its slender but stout stem There were even few wild roses scattered here and there and perhaps it sight that gave the Princess courage to important question

She dropped to her knees, facing the flowers, and extended both her arms pleadingly toward them

"Tell me, pretty cousins," she said in her sweet, gentle voice, " will lead us Kingdom of Ruggedo, the Nome King ? "

At once all the stems bent gracefully right flower heads nodded once--twice-- thrice direction

"That's it ! " cried Files joyfully "Now the way "

Ozga rose to her feet and looked wonderingly field-flowers, which had now resumed their upright position

" the wind, ? " she asked in low whisper

"No, indeed," replied Files " not breath of wind stirring But these lovely blossoms are indeed your cousins and answered your question at once, as "

Chapter Nine

Ruggedo's Rage is Rash and Reckless

The way taken adventurers led up hill and down dale and wound here and there in fashion that seemed aimless But always it drew nearer to range of low mountains and Files said more than once that certain the entrance to Ruggedo's cavern found rugged hills

quite correct Far underneath the nearest mountain was gorgeous chamber hollowed solid rock, the walls and roof glittered with thousands of magnificent jewels Here, on throne of virgin gold, sat the famous Nome King, dressed in splendid robes and wearing superb crown cut from single blood-red ruby