All bowed low Ruler Their voices softly murmured: "We greet the Private Citizen, mightiest of Rulers, whose word is Law and whose Law is just "

Tititi-Hoochoo bowed in acknowledgment Then, looking around the brilliant assemblage, and little group of adventurers before him, :

"An unusual thing has happened Inhabitants of other lands than ours, different from ourselves in many ways, thrust upon us Forbidden Tube, which people foolishly made and was properly punished folly But these strangers had no desire here and were wickedly thrust Tube by cruel King other side world, named Ruggedo This King is an immortal, but good His magic powers hurt mankind more than they benefit them Because he had unjustly kept the Shaggy Man's brother prisoner, this little band of honest people, consisting of both mortals and immortals, determined to conquer Ruggedo and to punish him Fearing succeed , the Nome King misled them so fell Tube

"Now, this same Ruggedo warned by me, , that if ever he used this Forbidden Tube in severely punished , by referring Fairy Records, King's servant, nome named Kaliko, begged his master not such wrong act drop these people Tube and tumbling into our country But Ruggedo defied me and my orders

"Therefore these strangers are innocent of any wrong only Ruggedo who deserves punishment, punish him " He paused moment and then continued same cold, merciless voice:

"These strangers must return Tube own side world; but make their fall more easy and pleasant than before Also send an Instrument of Vengeance, who in my name will drive Ruggedo underground caverns, take away his magic powers and make him homeless wanderer face earth--a place he detests "

little murmur of horror Kings and Queens severity punishment, but no one uttered protest, for all realized sentence was just

"In selecting my Instrument of Vengeance," went on Tititi-Hoochoo, " realized that an unpleasant mission Therefore no one of us blameless forced to undertake it wonderful land seldom one is guilty of wrong, even slightest degree, and on examining the Records no King or Queen had erred Nor had any among their followers or servants done any wrong But finally Dragon Family, which we highly respect, and then it I discovered the error of Quox

"Quox, well know, is young dragon who acquired the wisdom race Because lack, he disrespectful toward his most ancient ancestor, the Original Dragon, telling him once to mind his own business and again saying Ancient One had grown foolish with age aware that dragons the same as fairies and altogether guided by our laws, yet such disrespect as Quox has shown unnoticed Therefore selected Quox as my royal Instrument of Vengeance and he shall go Tube people and inflict upon Ruggedo the punishment decreed "

All had listened quietly speech and now the Kings and Queens bowed gravely to signify their approval Jinjin's judgment

Tititi-Hoochoo turned to Tubekins

"I command you," said he, "to escort these strangers Tube all enter it "

The King Tube, who had first discovered our friends and brought them Private Citizen, stepped forward and bowed As so, the Jinjin and all the Kings and Queens suddenly disappeared and only Tubekins remained visible

"All right," said Betsy, with sigh; "I don't mind going back so , 'cause the Jinjin promised it easy "

Indeed, Queen Ann and her officers were the only ones who looked solemn and seemed to fear the return journey that bothered Ann was her failure to conquer this land of Tititi- Hoochoo followed their guide gardens mouth Tube she said to Shaggy:

"How can I conquer the world, if I go away and leave this rich country unconquered ? "

" 't," he replied "Don't ask me why, please, for don't know 't inform you "

" ? " said Ann; but Shaggy paid no attention question

This end Tube had silver rim and around gold railing to attached sign that read

" OUT, STAY THERE IN, DON'T COME OUT "

On little silver plate just inside the Tube was engraved the words:

"Burrowed and built by Hiergargo the Magician, Year World 1 9 6 2 5 4 7 8 own exclusive uses "

" some builder, say," remarked Betsy, when she had read the inscription; "but if he had known star I guess he'd have spent his time playing solitaire "

"Well, we waiting for ? " inquired Shaggy, who was impatient to start

"Quox," replied Tubekins "But I hear him coming "

" young dragon invisible ? " asked Ann, who had never seen live dragon and was little fearful of meeting one

"No, indeed," replied the King Tube "You'll see him in minute; but part company I'm sure you'll wish invisible "

"Is he dangerous, then ? " questioned Files

"Not at all But Quox tires me dreadfully," said Tubekins, "and I prefer his room company

instant scraping sound was heard, drawing nearer and nearer until from between two big bushes appeared huge dragon, who approached the party, nodded his head and said: "Good morning "

Had Quox been at all bashful felt uncomfortable astonished stare of every eye group--except Tubekins, , who was not astonished because he had seen Quox so often

Betsy had thought "young" dragon small dragon, yet here was one so enormous girl decided full grown, overgrown His body was lovely sky-blue in color and thickly set with glittering silver scales, as big as serving-tray Around his neck was pink ribbon with bow just under his left ear, and below the ribbon appeared chain of pearls to attached golden locket about as large around end of bass drum This locket was set with many large and beautiful jewels

The head and face of Quox especially ugly, consider that dragon; but his eyes were so large took him to wink teeth seemed very sharp and terrible showed, which whenever the beast smiled Also his nostrils were quite large and wide, and those who stood near him were liable to smell brimstone--especially when he breathed out fire, as nature of dragons end long tail was attached big electric light

Perhaps the most singular thing dragon's appearance fact that he had row of seats attached back, one seat for each member party These seats were double, with curved backs, two could sit , and there were twelve double seats, all strapped firmly around the dragon's thick body and placed one behind the other, in row that extended shoulders nearly tail

"Aha ! " exclaimed Tubekins; " that Tititi- Hoochoo has transformed Quox into carryall "

"I'm glad ," said Betsy " , Mr Dragon, you won't mind our riding back "

"Not bit," replied Quox "I'm in disgrace just now, , only way to redeem my good name is to obey the orders Jinjin If he makes me beast of burden, only part punishment, and bear it like dragon I don't blame you people at all, and you'll enjoy the ride Hop on, please All aboard other side world ! "

Silently they took their places Hank sat front seat with Betsy, rest his front hoofs dragon's head Behind them were Shaggy and Polychrome, then Files Princess, and Queen Ann and Tik-Tok The officers rode rear seats When all had mounted places the dragon looked very like one sightseeing wagons so common in big cities-- only he had legs instead of wheels

"All ready ? " asked Quox, and said they were he crawled mouth Tube and put his head in

"Good-bye, and good luck ! " called Tubekins; but no one thought to reply, because just then the dragon slid his great body Tube journey other side world had begun