 10. A terrible tumble through a tube. I suppose that Polychrome, and perhaps Queen Anne and her army, might have been able to dispel the enchantment of Ruggedo's chief magician, had they known that danger lay in their pathway. For the rainbow's daughter was a fairy, and as Ugubu was a part of the land of Oz, its inhabitants cannot be easily deceived by such common magic as the Gnome King could command. But no one suspected any a special danger until after they had entered Ruggedo's cavern, and so they were journeying along in quite a contented manner when Tiktok, who marched ahead, suddenly disappeared. The officers thought he must have turned a corner, so they kept on their way, and all of them likewise disappeared, one after another. Queen Anne was rather surprised at this, and in hastening forward to learn the reason, she also vanished from sight. Betsy Bobbin had tired her feet by walking, so she was now riding upon the back of the stout little mule, facing backwards and talking to Shaggy and Polychrome, who were just behind. Suddenly, Hank pitched forward and began falling, and Betsy would have tumbled over his head had she not grabbed the mule's Shaggy neck with both arms and held on for dear life. All around was darkness, and they were not falling directly downward, but seemed to be sliding along a steep incline. Hank's hoofs were resting upon some smooth substance over which he slid with the swiftness of the wind. Once Betsy's heels flew up and struck a similar substance overhead, they were indeed descending the hollow tube that led to the other side of the world. Stop, Hank, stop! cried the girl, but Hank only uttered a plaintive hee-haw, for it was impossible for him to obey. After several minutes had passed and no harm had befallen them, Betsy gained courage. She could see nothing at all, nor could she hear anything except the rush of air past her ears as they plunged downward along the tube. Whether she and Hank were alone, or the others were with them, she could not tell, but had someone been able to take a flashlight photograph of the tube at the time, a most curious picture would have resulted. There was TikTok, flat upon his back and sliding head foremost down the incline, and there were the officers of the Army of Ugubu, all tangled up in a confused crowd, flapping their arms and trying to shield their faces from the clanking swords, which swung back and forth during the swift journey and pummeled everyone within their reach. Now followed Queen Anne, who had struck the tube in a sitting position and went flying along with a dash and abandon that thoroughly bewildered the poor lady, who had no idea what had happened to her. Then, a little distance away, but unseen by the others in the inky darkness, slid Betsy and Hank, while behind them were Shaggy and Polychrome and finally Files and the Princess. When first they tumbled into the tube, all were two days to think clearly, but the trip was a long one because the cavity led straight through the earth to a place just opposite the Gnome Kings and Minions, and long before their adventurers got to their end, they had begun to recover their wits. This is awful, Hank! cried Betsy in a loud voice, and Queen Anne heard her and called out, Are you safe, Betsy? Mercy, no, answered the little girl. How could anyone be safe when she's going about sixty miles a minute? Then, after a pause, she added, But where do you suppose we're going to, Your Majesty? Don't ask her that, please don't, said Shaggy, who is not too far away to overhear them. Then please don't ask me why, either. Why? said Betsy. No one can tell where we're going until we get there, replied Shaggy, and then he yelled, Ouch! For Polychrome had overtaken them and was now sitting on his head. The rainbow's daughter laughed merrily and so infectious was this joyous laugh that Betsy echoed it, and Hank said, Hee-haw! in a mild and sympathetic tone of voice. I'd just like to know where and when we'll arrive, just the same, exclaimed the little girl. Be patient and you'll find out, my dear, said Polychrome. But isn't this an odd experience? Here am I, whose home is in the skies, making a journey through the center of the earth, where I never expected to be. How do you know where in the center of the earth? asked Betsy, her voice trembling a little through nervousness. Why, we can't be anywhere else, replied Polychrome. I have often heard of this passage, which was once built by a magician who was a great traveler. He thought it would save him the bother of going around the earth's surface, but he tumbled through the tube so fast that he shot out at the other end and hit a star in the sky which had once exploded. The star exploded? asked Betsy, wonderingly. Yes, the magician hit it so hard. And what became of the magician? inquired the girl. No one knows that, answered Polychrome, but I don't think it matters much. It matters a good deal if we also hit the stars when we come out, said Queen Anne with Amon. Don't worry, advised Polychrome. I believe the magician was going the other way, and probably he went much faster than we are going. It's fast enough to suit me, remarked Shaggy, gently removing Polychrome's heel from his left eye. Couldn't you manage to fall all by yourself, my dear? I'll try, lapped the rainbow's daughter. All this time they were swiftly falling through the tube, and it was not so easy for them to talk as you may imagine when you read their words, but although they were so helpless and altogether in the dark as to their fate, the fact that they were able to converse at all cheered them considerably. Vials and Osgo were also conversing as they clung tightly to one another, and the young fellow bravely strove to reassure the princess, although he was terribly frightened, both on her account and on his own. An hour under such trying circumstances is a very long time, and for more than an hour they continued their fearful journey. Then, just as they began to fear the tube would never end, TikTok popped out into broad daylight, and after making a graceful circle in the air, fell with a splash into a great marble fountain. Out came the officers, in quick succession, tumbling heels overhead and striking the ground in many undignified attitudes. For the love of Sazafras, exclaimed a peculiar person who was hoeing pink violets in a garden, what can all this mean? For answer, Queen Anne, sailed up from the tube, took a ride through the air as high as the treetops, and alighted squarely on top of the peculiar person's head, smashing a jeweled crown over his eyes and tumbling him to the ground. The mule was heavier and had Betsy clinging to his back, so he did not go so high up. Unfortunately, for his little rider, he struck the ground upon his four feet. Betsy was jarred a trifle, but not hurt, and when she looked around her, she saw the Queen and the peculiar person struggling together upon the ground, where the man was trying to choke Anne, and she had both hands in his bushy hair and was pulling with all her might. Some of the officers, when they got upon their feet, hastened to separate the combatants and sought to restrain the peculiar person, so that he could not attack their Queen again. By this time, Shaggy, Polychrome, Asga, and Philes had all arrived, and were curiously examining the strange country in which they found themselves, and which they knew to be exactly on the opposite side of the world from the place where they had fallen into the tube. It was a lovely place, indeed, and seemed to be the garden of some great prince, for through the vistas of trees and shrubbery could be seen the towers of an immense castle, but as yet the only inhabitant to greet them was the peculiar person just mentioned, who had shaken off the grasp of the officers without effort, and was now trying to pull the battered crown from off his eyes. Shaggy, who was always polite, helped him to do this, and when the man was free and could see again, he looked at his visitors with evident abasement. Well, well, well, he exclaimed, where did you come from and how did you get here? Betsy tried to answer him, for Queen Anne was surly and silent. I can't say exactly where we came from, because I don't know the name of the place, said the girl, but the way we got here was through the hollow tube. Don't call it the hollow tube, please, exclaimed the peculiar person in an irritated tone of voice. If it's a tube, it's sure to be hollow. Why? asked Betsy, because all tubes are made that way, but this tube is private property, and everyone is forbidden to fall into it. We didn't do it on purpose, exclaimed Betsy, and Polychromatid. I am quite sure that Ruggedo, the gnome king, pushed us down that tube. Huh, Ruggedo, did you say Ruggedo? cried the man, becoming much excited. That is what she said, replied Shaggy, and I believe she is right. We were on our way to conquer the gnome king when suddenly we fell into that tube. Then you are enemies of Ruggedo, inquired the peculiar person. Not exactly enemies, said Betsy, a little puzzled by the question, because we don't know him at all, but we started out to conquer him, which isn't as friendly as it might be. True, agreed the man. He looked thoughtfully from one to another of them for a while, and then he turned his head over his shoulders and said, Never mind the fire and pincers, my good brothers. It would be best to take these strangers to the private citizen. Very well, tubkins, responded a voice, deep and powerful that seemed to come out of the air for the speaker was invisible. All our friends gave a jump at this. Then Polychrome was so startled that her gauze draperies fluttered like a banner and a breeze. Shaggy shook his head inside. Queen Anne looked very unhappy. The officers clung to each other, trembling violently. But soon they gained courage to look more closely at the peculiar person. As he was a type of all the inhabitants of this extraordinary land whom they afterward met, I will try to tell you what he looked like. His face was beautiful, but lacked expression. His eyes were large and blue in color, and his teeth finally formed in white as snow. His hair was black and bushy and seemed inclined to curl at the ends. So far no one could find any fault with his appearance. He wore a robe of scarlet which did not cover his arms and extended no lower than his bare knees. On the bosom of the robe was embroidered a terrible dragon's head, as horrible to look at as the man was beautiful. His arms and legs were left bare, and the skin of one arm was bright yellow, and the skin of the other arm of vivid green. He had one blue leg and one pink one, while both his feet, which showed through the open sandals he wore, were jet black. Betsy could not decide whether these gorgeous colors were dyes or the natural tints of the skin. But while she was thinking it over, the man who had been called Tupkin said, Follow me to the residence, I love you. But just then a voice exclaimed, Here's another of them, Tupkins, lying in the water of the fountain. Gracious, cried Betsy, it must be TikTok and he'll drown. Water is a bad thing for his clockworks anyway, agreed Shaggy, as with one's accord they all started for the fountain. But before they could reach it, invisible hands raised TikTok from the marble basin, and set him upon his feet beside it, water dripping from every joint of his copper body. Many th-th-th-thanks, he said, and then his copper jaws clicked together and he could say no more. He next made an attempt to walk, but after several awkward trials found he could not move his joints. Peels of jeering laughter from persons unseen greeted TikTok's failure, and the new arrivals in this strange land found it very uncomfortable to realize that there were many creatures around them who were invisible, yet could be heard plainly. Shall I wind him up? Asked Betsy, feeling very sorry for TikTok. I think his machinery is wound, but he needs oiling, replied Shaggy. At once an oil can appeared before him, held on a level with his eyes by some unseen hand. Shaggy took the can and tried to oil TikTok's joints. As if to assist him, a strong current of warm air was directed against the copper man, which quickly dried him. Soon he was able to say, many thanks, quite smoothly, and his joints worked fairly well. Come, commanded Tubkins, and turning his back upon them, he walked up the path toward the castle. Shall we go? Asked Queen Anne, uncertainly, but just then she received a shove that almost pitched her forward on her head, so she decided to go. The officers who hesitated received several energetic kicks, but could not see who delivered them. Therefore, they also decided very wisely to go. The others followed willingly enough for unless they ventured upon another terrible journey through the tube, they must make the best of the unknown country they were in, and the best seemed to be to obey orders. End of Chapter 10. Recording by Scott Sharis, Atlanta, Georgia, USA. Chapter 11 of TikTok of Oz. This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org. Recording by J. C. Guan, Montreal, May 2007. TikTok of Oz by L. Frank Baum. Chapter 11. The Famous Fellowship of Ferries. After a short walk through very beautiful gardens, they came to the castle and followed Tubekins through the entrance and into a great dome chamber where he commanded them to be seated. From the crown which he were, Betsy had thought this man must be the king of the country they were in. Yet after he had seated all the strangers upon the benches that were ranged in a semicircle before a high throne, Tubekins bowed humbly before the vacant throne and in a flash became invisible and disappeared. The hall was an immense place, but there seemed to be no one in it beside themselves. Presently, however, they heard a low cough near them, and here and there was the faint rustling of a robe and a slight patter as of footsteps. Then suddenly there rang out the clear tone of a bell, and at the sound all was changed. Gazing around the hall in bewilderment, they saw that it was filled with hundreds of men and women, all with beautiful faces and staring blue eyes and all wearing scarlet robes and gold crowns upon their heads. In fact, these people seemed exact duplicates of Tubekins, and it was difficult to find any mark by which to tell them apart. Why, what a lot of kings and queens whispered Betsy to Polychrome, who sat beside her and appeared much interested in a scene, but not a bit worried. It is certainly a strange sight, was Polychrome's reply. But I cannot see how there can be more than one king or queen in any one country, for were these all rulers, no one could tell who was the master. One of the kings who stood near and overheard this remark turned to her and said, one who is master of himself is always a king, if only to himself. In this favored land all kings and queens are equal, and it is our privilege to bow before one supreme ruler, the private citizen. Who's he, inquired Betsy? As if to answer her, the clear tones of the bell again rang out, and instantly there appeared seated in the throne the man who was lord and master of all these royal ones. This fact was evident when with one accord they fell upon their knees and touched their foreheads to the floor. Private citizen was not unlike the others, except that his eyes were black instead of blue, and in the centers of the black irises glowed red sparks that seemed like holes of fire. But his features were very beautiful and dignified, and his manner composed and stately. Instead of the prevalent scarlet robe, he wore one of white and the same dragon's head that decorated the others was embroidered upon its bosom. What charge lies against these people, tube-kins, he asked in quiet, even tones? They came through the forbidden tube, O mighty citizen, was the reply. You see, it was this way, said Betsy. We were marching to the Known King to conquer him and set Shaggy's brother free, when, on a sudden, who are you? demanded the private citizen sternly. Me? Oh, I'm Betsy Bobbin, and who is the leader of this party, asked the citizen. Sir, I am Queen Anne of Oogaboo, and, then keep quiet, said the citizen. Who is the leader? No one answered for a moment. Then General Bun stood up. Sit down, commanded the citizen. I can see that sixteen of you are merely officers, and of no account. But we have an army, said General Claude Busteringly, for he didn't like to be told he was of no account. Where is your army, asked the citizen. It's me, said TikTok, his voice sounding a little rusty. I'm the only private soldier in the party. Hearing this, the citizen rose and bowed respectfully to the clockwork man. Pardon me for not realizing your importance before, said he. Will you oblige me by taking a seat beside me on my throne? TikTok rose and walked over to the throne, all the kings and queens making way for him. Then, with clanking steps, he mounted the platform and sat on the broad seat beside the citizen. Anne was greatly provoked at this mark of favor shown to the humble clockwork man. But Shaggy seemed much pleased that his old friend's importance had been recognized by the ruler of this remarkable country. The citizen now began to question TikTok, who told in his mechanical voice about Shaggy's quest and of his lost brother, and how Osma of Oz had sent the clockwork man to assist him, and how they had fallen in with Queen Anne and her people from Ugebu. Also, he told how Betsy and Hank and Polychrome and the rose princes had happened to join their party. And you intended to conquer Ruggedo the metal monarch and king of the gnomes, asked the citizen. Yes, that same, the only thing for us to do was TikTok's reply. But he was too clever for us. When we got close to his cavern, he made our path lead to the tube and made the opening invisible so that we all fell into it before we knew it was there. It was an easy way to get rid of us and now Ruggedo is safe and we are far away in a strange land. The citizen was silent a moment and seemed to be thinking. Then he said, most noble private soldier, I must inform you that by the laws of our country, anyone who comes through the forbidden tube must be tortured for nine days and ten nights and then thrown back into the tube. But it is wise to disregard laws when they conflict with justice and it seems that you and your followers did not disobey our laws willingly being forced into the tube by Ruggedo. Therefore, the gnome king is alone to blame and he alone must be punished. That suits me, said Tiktok. But Ruggedo is on the other side of the world where he is the way out of your reach. The citizen drew himself up proudly. Do you imagine anything in the world or upon it can be out of the reach of the great Jinjin, he asked. Oh, are you then the great Jinjin, inquired Tiktok? I am. Then your name is Tititi Huchu? It is. Queen Anne gave a scream and began to tremble. Shaggy was so disturbed that he took out a handkerchief and wiped his perspiration from his brow. Polychrome looked sober and uneasy for the first time while Fouls put his arm around the rose-princes as if to protect her. As for the officers, the name of the great Jinjin set them moaning and weeping at a great rate and everyone fell upon his knees before the throne begging for mercy. Betsy was worried at seeing her companions so disturbed but did not know what it was all about. Only Tiktok was unmoved at the discovery. Then, said he, if you are Tititi Huchu and think Ruggedo is to blame, I am sure that something queer will happen to the king of the gnomes. I wonder what will be, said Betsy. The private citizen, otherwise known as Tititi Huchu, the great Jinjin, looked at the little girl steadily. I will presently decide what is to happen to Ruggedo, said he in a hard-sturned voice. Then, turning to the throne of kings and queens, he continued, Tiktok has spoken truly, for his machinery will not allow him to lie, nor will it allow his thoughts to sink falsely. Therefore, these people are not our enemies and must be treated with consideration and justice. Take them to your palaces and entertain them as guests until tomorrow, when I command that they be brought again to my residence. By then I shall have formed my plans. No sooner had Tititi Huchu spoken than he disappeared from sight. Immediately after, most of the kings and queens likewise disappeared, but several of them remained visible and approached the strangers with great respect. One of the lovely queens, said to Betsy, I trust you will honour me by being my guest. I am Irma, Queen of Light. May Hank come with me, as the girl, the king of animals, would care for your mule, was the reply. But do not share for him, for he will be treated royally. All of your party will be reunited on the morrow. I, I'd like to have someone with me, said Betsy pleadingly. Queen Irma looked around and smiled upon Polychrome. Will the rainbow's daughter be an agreeable companion? She asked. Oh yes, exclaimed the girl. So Polychrome and Betsy became guests of the Queen of Light, while the other beautiful kings and queens took charge of the others of the party. The two girls followed Irma out of the hall and through the gardens of the residence to a village of pretty dwellings. None of these was so large or imposing as the castle of the private citizen, but all were handsome enough to be called palaces, as in fact they really were. CHAPTER XII THE LOVELY LADY OF LIGHT The palace of the Queen of Light stood on a little eminence and was a mass of crystal windows, surmounted by a vast crystal dome. When they entered the portals Irma was greeted by six lovely maidens, evidently of high degree, who had once aroused Betsy's admiration. Each bore a wand in her hand, tipped with an emblem of light, and their costumes were also emblematic of the lights they represented. Irma introduced them to her guests, and each made a graceful and courteous acknowledgement. First was sunlight, radiantly beautiful and very fair. The second was moonlight, a soft, dreamy damsel with nut-brown hair. Next came starlight, equally lovely, but inclined to be retiring and shy. These three were dressed in shimmering robes of silvery white. The fourth was daylight, a brilliant damsel with laughing eyes and frank manners, who wore a variety of colors. Then came firelight, clothed in a fleecy, flame-colored robe that wavered around her shapely form in a very attractive manner. The sixth maiden, Electra, was the most beautiful of all, and Betsy thought from the first that both sunlight and daylight regarded Electra with envy and were a little jealous of her. But all were cordial in their greetings to the strangers, and seemed to regard the queen of light with much affection, for they fluttered around her in a flashing, radiant group as she led the way to her regal drawing-room. This apartment was richly and cosily furnished, the upholstery being of many tints, and both Betsy and Polychrome enjoyed resting themselves upon the downy divans after their strenuous adventure of the day. The queen sat down to chat with her guests, who noticed that daylight was the only maiden now seated beside Irma. The others had retired to another part of the room, where they sat modestly with entwined arms, and did not intrude themselves at all. The queen told strangers all about this beautiful land, which is one of the chief residences of fairies who minister to the needs of mankind. So many important fairies lived there that, to avoid rivalry, they had elected as their ruler the only important personage in the country who had no duties to mankind to perform, and was, in effect, a private citizen. This ruler, or Jinjin, as was his title, bore the name of Tititi Huchu, and the most singular thing about him was that he had no heart. But instead of this he possessed a high degree of reason and justice, and while he showed no mercy in his judgments he never punished unjustly or without reason. To wrongdoers Tititi Huchu was as terrible as he was heartless, but those who were innocent of evil had nothing to fear from him. All the kings and queens of this fairy land paid reverence to Jinjin, for as they expected to be obeyed by others they were willing to obey the one in authority over them. The inhabitants of the land of Oz had heard many tales of this fearfully just Jinjin, whose punishments were always equal to the faults committed. Polly Chrome also knew of him, although this was the first time she had ever seen him face to face. Back to Betsy the story was all new, and she was greatly interested in Tititi Huchu, whom she no longer feared. Time sped swiftly during their talk, and suddenly Betsy noticed that moonlight was sitting beside the queen of light instead of daylight. "'But tell me, please,' she pleaded, "'why do you all wear a dragon's head embroidered on your gowns?' Irma's pleasant face became grave as she answered. The dragon, as you must know, was the first living creature ever made. Therefore the dragon is the oldest and wisest of living things. By good fortune the original dragon, who still lives, is a resident of this land and supplies us with wisdom whenever we are in need of it. He is old as the world, and remembers everything that has happened since the world was created. Did he ever have any children?' inquired the girl. Yes, many of them. Some wandered into other lands where men, not understanding them, made war upon them. But many still reside in this country. None, however, is as wise as the original dragon, for whom we have great respect. As he was the first resident here we wear the emblem of the dragon's head to show that we are the favored people who alone have the right to inhabit this fairy land, which in beauty almost equals the fairy land of Oz, and in power quite surpasses it. "'I understand about the dragon now,' said Polychrome, nodding her lovely head. Betsy did not quite understand, but she was at present interested in observing the changing lights. As daylight had given way to moonlight, so now Starlight sat at the right hand of Irma the Queen, and with her coming a spirit of peace and content seemed to fill the room. Polychrome, being herself a fairy, had many questions to ask about the various kings and queens who lived in this faraway, secluded place, and before Irma had finished answering them, a rosy glow filled the room, and Firelight took her place beside the queen. Betsy liked Firelight, but the gaze upon her warm and glowing features made the little girl sleepy, and presently she began to nod. Thereupon Irma rose and took Betsy's hand gently in her own. "'Come,' said she, the feast-time has arrived, and the feast is spread. "'It's nice,' exclaimed the small mortal. "'Now that I think of it, I'm awful hungry, but perhaps I can't eat your fairy food.' The queen smiled and led her to a doorway. As she pushed aside a heavy drapery, a flood of silvery light greeted them, and Betsy saw before her a splendid banquet hall, where the table spread with snowy linen and crystal and silver. But one side was a broad, throne-like seat for Irma, and beside her now sat the brilliant-made Electra. Polychrome was placed on the queen's right hand and Betsy upon her left. The other five messengers of light now waited upon them, and each person was supplied with just the food she liked best. Polychrome found her dish of dew-drops, all fresh and sparkling, while Betsy was so lavishly served that she decided she had never in her life eaten a dinner half so good. "'I suppose,' she said to the queen, that Miss Electra is the youngest of all these girls. "'Why do you suppose that?' inquired Irma with a smile. "'Cause electricity's the newest light we know of. Didn't Mr. Edison discover it?' "'Perhaps he was the first mortal to discover it,' replied the queen. "'But electricity was a part of the world from its creation, and therefore my Electra is as old as daylight or moonlight, and equally beneficent to mortals and fairies alike.' Betsy was thoughtful for a time. Then she remarked, as she looked at the six messengers of light. "'We couldn't very well do without any of them, could we?' Irma laughed softly. "'I couldn't, I'm sure,' she replied, and I think mortals would miss any one of my maidens as well. Daylight cannot take the place of sunlight, which gives us strength and energy. Moonlight is of value when daylight, worn out with her long watch, retires to rest. If the moon in its course is hidden behind the earth's rim, and my sweet moonlight cannot cheer us, starlight takes her place. The skies always lend her power. Without firelight we should miss much of our warmth and comfort, as well as much cheer when the walls of houses encompass us. But always, when other lights forsake us, our glorious Electra is ready to flood us with bright rays. As queen of light I love all my maidens, for I know them to be faithful and true.' "'I love them all, too,' declared Betsy. But sometimes, when I'm real sleepy, I can get along without any light at all.' "'Are you sleepy now?' inquired Irma, for the feast had ended. "'A little,' admitted the girl. So Electra showed her to a pretty chamber where there was a soft white bed, and waited patiently until Betsy had undressed and put on a shimmery, silken night-robe that laid beside her pillow. Then the light maid bade her good-night and opened the door. When she closed it after her, Betsy was in darkness. In six winks the little girl was fast asleep. End of chapter. CHAPTER XIII. OF TIK-TAK-A-VAZ. This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org. This recording is by Mark Smith of Simpsonville, South Carolina. TIK-TAK-A-VAZ by L. Frank Baum. CHAPTER XIII. THE GINGEN'S LAST JUDGEMENT. All the adventurers were reunited next morning when they were brought from various palaces to the residence of Tititi Huchu and ushered into the great Hall of State. As before, no one was visible except our friends and their escorts until the first bell sounded. Then in a flash the room was seen to be filled with the beautiful kings and queens of the land. The second bell marked the appearance in the throne of the mighty Jin-Jin, whose handsome countenance was as composed and expressionless as ever. All bowed low to the ruler. Their voices softly murmured. We greet the private citizen, mightiest of rulers, whose word is law, and whose law is just. Tititi Huchu bowed in acknowledgment. Then looking around the brilliant assemblage and at the little group of adventurers before him, he said, An unusual thing has happened. Inhabitants of other lands than ours, who are different from ourselves in many ways, have been thrust upon us through the forbidden tube which one of our people foolishly made years ago, and was properly punished for his folly. But these strangers had no desire to come here and were wickedly thrust into the tube by a cruel king on the other side of the world, named Rugeto. This king is an immortal, but he is not good. His magic powers hurt mankind more than they benefit them. Because he had unjustly kept the shaggy man's brother a prisoner, this little band of honest people, consisting of both mortals and immortals, determined to conquer Rugeto and to punish him. Fearing they might succeed in this, the gnome king misled them so that they fell into the tube. Now this same Rugeto has been warned by me, many times, that if ever he used this forbidden tube in any way he would be severely punished. I find, by referring to the fairy records, that this king's servant, a gnome named Calico, begged his master not to do such a wrong act as to drop these people into the tube and send them tumbling into our country. But Rugeto defied me and my orders. Therefore these strangers are innocent of any wrong. It is only Rugeto who deserves punishment, and I will punish him. He paused a moment, and then continued in the same cold, merciless voice. These strangers must return through the tube to their own side of the world, but I will make their fall more easy and pleasant than it was before. Also I shall send with them an instrument of vengeance, who in my name will drive Rugeto from his underground caverns, take away his magic powers, and make him a homeless wanderer on the face of the earth, a place he detests. There was a little murmur of horror from the kings and queens at the severity of this punishment, but no one uttered a protest, for all realized that the sentence was just. In selecting my instrument of vengeance, went on to Titi Huchu, I have realized that this will be an unpleasant mission. Therefore no one of us who is blameless should be forced to undertake it. In this wonderful land it is seldom one is guilty of wrong, even in the slightest degree, and on examining the records I found no king or queen had aired, nor had any among their followers or servants done any wrong. But finally I came to the dragon family, which we highly respect, and then it was that I discovered the error of quacks. Quacks as you well know is a young dragon who has not yet acquired the wisdom of his race. Because of this lack he has been disrespectful toward his most ancient ancestor, the original dragon, telling him once to mind his own business and again saying that the ancient one had grown foolish with age. We are aware that dragons are not the same as fairies, and cannot be altogether guided by our laws, yet such disrespect as quacks has shown should not be unnoticed by us. Therefore I have selected quacks as my royal instrument of vengeance, and he shall go through the tube with these people, and inflict upon reghetto the punishment I have decreed. All ahead listened quietly to the speech, and now the kings and queens bowed gravely to signify their approval of the Jinjin's judgment. Titi Huchu turned to Tubkin's. I command you, said he, to escort these strangers to the tube, and see that they all enter it. The king of the tube, who had first discovered our friends, and brought them to the private citizen, stepped forward and bowed. As he did so, the Jinjin and all the kings and queens suddenly disappeared, and only Tubkin's remained visible. All right, said Betsy, with a sigh. I don't mind going back so very much, because the Jinjin promised to make it easy for us. Indeed Queen Anne and her officers were the only ones who looked solemn, and seemed to fear the return journey. One thing that bothered Anne was her failure to conquer this land of Titi Huchu. As they followed their guide through the gardens to the mouth of the tube, she said to Shaggy, How can I conquer the world if I go away and leave this rich country unconquered? You can't, he replied. Don't ask me why, please, for if you don't know, I can't inform you. Why not, said Anne, but Shaggy pegged no attention to the question. This end of the tube had a silver rim, and around it was a gold railing to which was attached a sign that read, If you are out, stay there. If you are in, don't come out. On a little silver plate just inside the tube was engraved the words, Burrowed and built by, here gargoy the magician, in the year of the world, one nine six two five four seven eight, for his own exclusive uses. She was some builder, I must say, remarked Betsy when she had read the inscription, but if he had known about that star, I guess he'd have spent his time playing solitaire. Well, what are we waiting for? inquired Shaggy, who was impatient to start. Quacks, replied Tupkins, but I think I hear him coming. Is the young dragon invisible? asked Anne, who had never seen a live dragon and was a little fearful of meeting one. No, indeed, replied the king of the tube. You'll see him in a minute, but before you part company I'm sure you'll wish he was invisible. Is he dangerous, then? questioned Files. Oh, not at all, but Quacks tires me dreadfully, said Tupkins, and I prefer his room to his company. But that instant a scraping sound was heard, drawing nearer and nearer until from between two big bushes appeared a huge dragon who approached the party, nodded his head and said, Good morning! Had Quacks been at all bashful, I am sure he would have felt uncomfortable at the astonished stare of every eye in the group, except Tupkins, of course, who was not astonished because he had seen Quacks so often. Quacks he had thought a young dragon must be a small dragon, yet here was one so enormous that the girl decided he must be full grown, if not overgrown. His body was a lovely sky blue in color, and it was thickly set with glittering silver scales, each one as big as a serving tray. Around his neck was a pink ribbon with a bow just under his left ear, and below the ribbon appeared a chain of pearls to which was attached a golden locket about as large around as the end of a base drum. This locket was set with many large and beautiful jewels. The head and face of Quacks were not especially ugly when you consider that he was a dragon, but his eyes were so large that it took him a long time to wink, and his teeth seemed very sharp and terrible when they showed, which they did 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 it is the nature of dragons to do. In the end of his long tail was attached a big electric light. Perhaps the most singular thing about the dragon's appearance at this time was the fact that he had a row of seats attached to his back, one seat for each member of the party. These seats were double, with curved backs, so that two could sit in them, and there were twelve of these double seats, all strapped firmly around the dragon's thick body, and placed one behind the other, in a row that extended from his shoulders nearly to his tail. "'Aha!' exclaimed Tupkin's, I see that Titidihuchu has transformed Quacks into a carry-all. "'I'm glad of that,' said Betsy. "'I hope, Mr. Dragon, you won't mind our riding on your back.' "'Not a bit,' replied Quacks. "'I'm in disgrace just now, you know, and the only way to redeem my good name is to obey the orders of the Jinjin. If he makes me a beast of burden, it is only a part of my punishment, and I must bear it like a dragon. I don't blame you people at all, and I hope you'll enjoy the ride. Hop on, please. All aboard for the other side of the world!' Silently they took their places. Hank sat in the front seat with Betsy, so that he could rest his front hoofs upon the dragon's head. Behind them were Shaggy and Polychrome, then Philes and the Princess, and Queen Anne and TikTok. The officers rode in the rear seats. When all had mounted to their places the dragon looked very like one of those sight-seeing wagons so common in big cities, only he had legs instead of wheels. "'All ready?' asked Quacks, and when they said they were he crawled to the mouth of the tube and put his head in. "'Good-bye, and good-luck to you,' called Tubekins, but no one thought to reply, because just then the dragon slid his great body into the tube, and the journey to the other side of the world had begun. At first they went so fast that they could scarcely catch their breaths, but presently Quacks slowed up and said with a sort of cackling laugh, "'My scales! But that is some tumble. I think I shall take it easy and fall slower. I'm likely to get dizzy. Is it very far to the other side of the world?' "'Haven't you ever been through this tube before?' inquired Shaggy. "'Never, nor has any one else in our country, at least not since I was born.' "'How long ago was that?' asked Betsy. "'That I was born? Oh, not very long ago. I'm only a mere child. If I had not been sent on this journey, I would have celebrated my 3,056th birthday next Thursday. Mother was going to make me a birthday cake with 3,056 candles on it. But now, of course, there will be no celebration, for I fear I shall not get home in time for it.' "'3,056 years!' cried Betsy. Why, I had no idea anything could live that long.' "'My respected ancestor, whom I would call a stupid old humbug if I had not reformed, is so old that I am a mere baby compared with him,' said Quax. He dates from the beginning of the world, and insists on telling us stories of things that happened fifty thousand years ago, which are of no interest at all to youngsters like me. In fact, Grandpa isn't up to date. He lives all together in the past, so I can't see any good reason for his being alive today. Are you people able to see your way, or shall I turn on more light?' "'Oh, we can see very nicely, thank you. Only there's nothing to see but ourselves,' answered Betsy. This was true. The dragon's big eyes were like headlights on an automobile, and illuminated the tube very far ahead of them. Also he curled his tail upwards so that the electric light on the end of it enabled them to see one another quite clearly. But the tube itself was only dark metal, smooth as glass, but exactly the same from one of its ends to the other. Therefore there was no scenery of interest to beguile the journey. They were now falling so gently that the trip was proving entirely comfortable, as the Jin-Jin had promised it would be. But this met a longer journey, and the only way they could make time pass was to engage in conversation. The dragon seemed a willing and persistent talker, and he was of so much interest to them that they encouraged him to chatter. His voice was a little gruff, but not unpleasant when one became used to it. "'My only fear,' said he presently, is that this constant sliding over the surface of the tube will dull my claws. You see, this hole isn't straight down but on a steep slant, and so instead of tumbling freely through the air I must skate along the tube. Fortunately there is a file in my tool-kit, and if my claws get dull they can be sharpened again." "'Why do you want sharp claws?' asked Betsy. "'They are my natural weapons, and you must not forget I have been sent to conquer Roguedo.' "'Oh, you needn't mind about that,' remarked Queen Anne in her most haughty matter. "'For when we get to Roguedo I and my invincible army can conquer him without your assistance.' "'Very good,' returned the dragon cheerfully. "'That will save me a lot of bother if you succeed. But I think I shall file my claws just the same.' He gave a long sigh as he said this, and a sheet of flame several feet in length shot from his mouth. Betsy shuddered, and Hank said, "'Ee-haw!' While some of the officers screamed in terror, but the dragon did not notice that he had done anything unusual. "'Is there fire inside of you?' asked Shaggy. "'Of course,' answered Quax. "'What sort of a dragon would I be if my fire went out?' "'What keeps it going?' Betsy inquired. "'I've no idea. I only know it's there,' said Quax. "'The fire keeps me alive, and enables me to move, also to think and speak.' "'Ah, you are very much like myself,' said Tiktok. "'The only difference is that I move by clockwork while you move by fire.' "'I don't see a particle of difference between us, I must confess,' retorted Quax gruffly. "'You are not a live thing. You're a dummy.' "'But I can do things you must admit,' said Tiktok. "'Yes, when you are wound up,' sneered the dragon. "'But if you run down, you are helpless.' "'What would happen to you, Quax, if you ran out of gasoline?' inquired Shaggy, who did not like this attack upon his friend. "'I don't use gasoline.' "'Well, suppose you ran out of fire?' "'What's the use of supposing that?' asked Quax. "'My great, great, great grandfather has lived since the world began, and he has never once ran out of fire to keep him going. But I will confide to you that as he gets older he shows more smoke and less fire.' "'As for Tiktok, he's well enough in his way, but he's merely copper, and the metal-marnock knows copper through and through. I wouldn't be surprised if Rueghetto melted Tiktok in one of his furnaces and made copper pennies of him. In that case I would still keep going,' remarked Tiktok, calmly. "'Pennies do,' said Betsy regretfully. "'This is all nonsense,' said the queen with irritation. Tiktok is my great army, all but the officers, and I believe he will be able to conquer Rueghetto with ease. What do you think, Polly-Krome?' "'You might let him try,' answered the rainbow's daughter, with her sweet ringing laugh, that sounded like the tinkling of tiny bells. And if Tiktok fails, you have still the big-fire-breathing dragon to fall back on.' "'Ah!' said the dragon, another sheet of flame gushing from his mouth and nostrils. "'It's a wise little girl, this Polly-Krome. Anyone would know she is a fairy.' CHAPTER 14 THE LONG YEARED HEARER LEARNS BY LISTENING During this time Rueghetto, the metal monarch and king of the gnomes, was trying to amuse himself in his splendid, jeweled cavern. It was hard work for Rueghetto to find amusement today, for all the gnomes were behaving well and there was no one to scold or to punish. The king had thrown his scepter at Calico six times without hitting him once. Not that Calico had done anything wrong. On the contrary, he had obeyed the king in every way, but, one, he would not stand still when commanded to do so and let the heavy scepter strike him. We could hardly blame Calico for this, and even the cruel Rueghetto forgave him, for he knew very well that if he mashed his royal chamberlain he could never find another so intelligent and obedient. Calico could make the gnomes work when their king could not, for the gnomes hated Rueghetto, and there were so many thousands of the quaint little underground people that they could easily have rebelled and defied the king had they dared to do so. Sometimes when Rueghetto abused them worse than usual, they grew sullen and threw down their hammers and picks. Then however hard the king scolded or whipped them, they would not work until Calico came and begged them to. But Calico was one of themselves, and was as much abused by the king as any gnome in the vast series of caverns. But today all the little people were working industriously at their tasks, and Rueghetto, having nothing to do, was greatly bored. He sent for the long-deared hearer, and asked him to listen carefully and report what was going on in the big world. It seems, said the hearer, after listening for a while, that the women in America have clubs. Are there spikes in them? asked Rueghetto, yawning. I cannot hear any spikes, your majesty, was the reply. Then their clubs are not as good as my scepter. What else do you hear? There's a war. Bah! There's always a war. What else? For a time the hearer was silent, bending forward and spreading out his big ears to catch the slightest sound. Then suddenly he said, Here is an interesting thing, your majesty. These people are arguing as to who shall conquer the metal monarch, seize his treasure, and drive him from his dominions. People! demanded Rueghetto, sitting up straight in his throne. The ones you threw down the hollow tube. Where are they now? In the same tube and coming back this way, said the hearer. Rueghetto got out of his throne and began to pace up and down the cavern. I wonder what can be done to stop them? He mused. Well, said the hearer, If you could turn the tube upside down, they would be falling the other way, your majesty. Rueghetto glared at him wickedly, for it was impossible to turn the tube upside down, and he believed the hearer was slightly poking fun at him. Presently he asked, How far away are these people now? Nine thousand, three hundred and six miles, seventeen furlongs, eight feet and four inches, as nearly as I can judge from the sound of their voices, replied the hearer. Aha! Then it will be some time before they arrive, said Rueghetto. And when they get here I shall be ready to receive them. He rushed to his gong and pounded upon it so fiercely that Calico came bounding into the cavern with one shoe off and one shoe on, for he was just dressing himself after a swim in the hot bubbling lake of the underground kingdom. Calico, these invaders whom we threw down the tube are coming back again, exclaimed. I thought they would, said the royal chamberlain, pulling on the other shoe. Titidihuchu would not allow them to remain in his kingdom, of course, and so I've been expecting them back for some time. That was a very foolish action of yours, Ruegh. What! To throw them down the tube? Yes, Titidihuchu has forbidden us to throw even rubbish into the tube. Who? What do I care for the gin gin? asked Rueghetto scornfully. He never leaves his own kingdom, which is on the other side of the world. True, but he might send someone through the tube to punish you, suggested Calico. I'd like to see him do it. Who could conquer my thousands of gnomes? Why, they've been conquered before, if I remember a right. Answered Calico with a grin. Once I saw you running from a little girl named Dorothy and her friends as if you were really afraid. Well, I was afraid that time, admitted the gnome king with a deep sigh, for Dorothy had a yellow hen that laid eggs. The king shuddered, as he said, eggs, and Calico also shuddered, and so did the long-eared hearer, for eggs are the only things that the gnomes greatly dread. The reason for this is that eggs belong on the earth's surface, where birds and fowl of all sorts live, and there is something about a hen's egg, especially, that fills a gnome with horror. If by chance the inside of an egg touches one of these underground people, he withers up and blows away, and that is the end of him, unless he manages quickly to speak a magical word which only a few of the gnomes know. Therefore Ruguetto and his followers had very good cause to shudder at the mere mention of eggs. But Dorothy, said the king, is not with this band of invaders, nor is the yellow hen. As for Tititi Huchu, he has no means of knowing that we are afraid of eggs. You mustn't be too sure of that, Calico warned him. Tititi Huchu knows a great many things, being a fairy, and his powers are far superior to any we can boast. Ruguetto shrugged impatiently and turned to the hearer. Listen, said he, and tell me if you hear any eggs coming through the tube. The long-eared one listened, and then shook his head. But Calico laughed at the king. No one can hear an egg, your majesty, said he. The only way to discover the truth is to look through the magic spy-glass. That's it! cried the king. Why didn't I think of it before? Look at once, Calico. So Calico went to the spy-glass, and by uttering a mumbled charm he caused the other end of it to twist around, so that it pointed down the opening of the tube. Then he put his eye to the glass, and was able to gaze along all the turns and windings of the magic spy-glass, and then deep into the tube to where our friends were at that time falling. Dear me! he exclaimed. Here comes a dragon. A big one! asked Ruguetto. A monster! He has an electric light on the end of his tail, so I can see him very plainly, and the other people are all riding upon his back. How about the eggs? inquired the king. Calico looked again. I can see no eggs at all, said he. But I imagine that the dragon is as dangerous as eggs. Probably Tititi Huchu has sent him here to punish you for dropping those strangers into the forbidden tube. I warned you not to do it, your majesty. This news made the gnome king anxious. For few minutes he paced up and down, stroking his long beard, and thinking with all his might. After this he turned to Calico and said, All the harm a dragon can do is to scratch with his claws and bite with his teeth. That is not all, but it's quite enough, returned Calico earnestly. On the other hand no one can hurt a dragon because he's the toughest creature alive. One flop of his huge tail could smash a hundred gnomes to pancakes, and with teeth and claws he could tear even you or me into small bits, so that it would be almost impossible to put us together again. Once a few hundred years ago, while wandering through some deserted caverns, I came upon a small piece of a gnome lying on the rocky floor. I asked the piece of gnome what had happened to it. The mouth was a part of this piece, the mouth and the left eye, so it was able to tell me that a fierce dragon was the cause. It had attacked the poor gnome and scattered him in every direction, and as there was no friend near to collect his pieces and put him together, they had been separated for a great many years. So you see, Your Majesty, it is not in good taste to sneer at a dragon. The king had listened attentively to Klikko, said he. It will only be necessary to chain this dragon, which Tititi Huchu has sent here, in order to prevent his reaching us with his claws and teeth. He also breathed flames, Klikko reminded him. My gnomes are not afraid of fire, nor am I, said Rukedo. Well, how about the army of Ugebu? Sixteen cowardly officers in Tik Tok. Why, I could defeat them single-handed, but I won't try to. I'll summon my army of gnomes to drive the invaders out of my territory, and if we catch any of them, I intend to stick needles into them until they hop with pain. I hope you won't hurt any of the girls, said Klikko. I'll hurt them all, roared the angry metal monarch, and that braing mule I'll make into hoof soup, and feed it to my gnomes, that it may add to their strength. Why not be good to the strangers and release your prisoner, the shaggy man's brother, suggested Klikko? Never. It may save you a lot of annoyance, and you don't want the ugly one. I don't want him, that's true. But I won't allow anybody to order me around. I'm king of the gnomes, and I'm the metal monarch, and I shall do as I please, and what I please, and when I please. With this speech, Rukedo threw his scepter at Klikko's head, aiming it so well that the royal chamberlain had to fall flat upon the floor in order to escape it. But the hearer did not see the scepter coming, and it swept past his head so closely that it broke off the tip of one of his long ears. He gave a dreadful yell that quite startled Rukedo, and the king was sorry for the accident, because those long ears of the hearer were really valuable to him. So the gnome king forgot to be angry with Klikko, and ordered his chamberlain to summon General Guff and the army of gnomes and have them properly armed. They were then to march to the mouth of the tube, where they could seize the travelers as soon as they appeared. CHAPTER 15 THE DRAGON DEFIES DANGER Although the journey through the tube was longer this time than before, it was so much more comfortable than none of our friends minded it at all. They talked together most of the time, and as they found the dragon good-natured and fond of the sound of his own voice, they soon became well acquainted with him and accepted him as a companion. You see, said Shaggy in his frank way, quacks his honor aside, and therefore the dragon is a good fellow. If he happened to be an enemy instead of a friend, I am sure I should dislike him very much for his breath smells of brimstone. He is very conceited, and he is so strong and fierce that he would prove a dangerous foe. Yes indeed, returned quacks, who had listened to this speech with pleasure. I suppose I am about as terrible as any living thing. I am glad you find me conceited, for that proves I know my good qualities. As for my breath smelling of brimstone, I really can't help it, and I once met a man whose breath smelled of onions, which I consider far worse. I don't, said Betsy. I love onions, and I love brimstone, declared the dragon, so don't let us quarrel over one another's peculiarities. Saying this, he breathed a long breath and shot a flame fifty feet from his mouth. The brimstone made Betsy cough, but she remembered about the onions and said nothing. They had no idea how far they had gone through the center of the earth, nor went to expect the trip to end. At one time the little girl remarked, I wonder when we'll reach the bottom of this hole, and isn't it funny, shaggy man, that what is the bottom to us now was the top when we fell the other way? What puzzles me, said Fawze, is that we are able to fall both ways. That, announced TikTok, is because the world is round. Exactly, responded Shaggy, the machinery in your head is in fine working order, TikTok. You know Betsy, that there is such a thing as the attraction of gravitation, which draws everything towards the center of the earth. That is why we fall out of bed, and why everything clings to the surface of the earth. Then why doesn't everyone go down to the center of the earth, inquired the little girl? I was afraid you were going to ask me that, replied Shaggy in a sad tone. The reason, my dear, is that the earth is so solid, that other solid things can't get through it. But when there's a hole, as there is in this case, we drop right down to the center of the world. Why don't we stop there, asked Betsy? Because we go so fast that we acquire speed enough to carry us right up to the other end. I don't understand that, and it makes my head ache to try to figure it out, she said after some thought. One thing draws us to the center, and another thing pushes us away from it. But don't ask me why, please, interrupted the Shaggy man. If you can't understand it, let it go at that. Do you understand it? She inquired. All the magic isn't in fairyland, he said gravely. There's lots of magic in all nature, and you may see it as well in the United States, where you and I once lived, as you can hear. I never did, she replied. Because you were so used to it all that you didn't realize it was magic. Is anything more wonderful than to see a flower grow and blossom, or to get lights out of the electricity in the air? The cows that manufacture milk for us must have machinery fully as remarkable as that in TikTok's copper body. And perhaps you've noticed that—and then, before Shaggy could finish his speech, the strong light of day suddenly broke upon them, grew brighter, and completely enveloped them. The dragons claws no longer scraped against the metal tube, for he shot into the open air a hundred feet or more and sailed so far away from the slanting hull that when he landed it was on the peak of a mountain and just over the entrance to the many underground caverns of the Gnome King. Some of the officers tumbled off their seats when quacks struck the ground, but most of the dragon's passengers only felt a slight jar. All were glad to be on solid earth again, and they at once dismounted and began to look at them. Really enough, as soon as they had left the dragon, the seats that were strapped to the monster's back disappeared, and this probably happened because there was no further use for them and because quacks looked far more dignified in just his silver scales. Of course, he still wore the forty yards of ribbon around his neck, as well as the great locket, but these only made him look dressed up, as Betty remarked. Now the army of gnomes had gathered sickly around the mouth of the tube, in order to be ready to capture the ban of invaders as soon as they popped out. There were indeed hundreds of gnomes assembled, and they were led by Gough, their most famous general. But they did not expect the dragon to fly so high, and he shot out of the tube so suddenly that he took them by surprise. When the gnomes had rubbed their astonishment out of their eyes and regained their wits, they discovered the dragon quietly seated on the mountainside far above their heads, while the other strangers were standing in a group and calmly looking down upon them. General Gough was very angry at the escape, which was no one's fault but his own. Come down here and be captured, he shouted, waving his sword at them. Come up here and capture us if you dare, replied Queen Anne, who was winding up to clockwork of her private soldier so he could fight more briskly. Gough's first answer was a roar of rage at the defiance. Then he turned an issue to command to his gnomes. These were all armed with sharp spears, and with one accord they raised these spears and threw them straight at their foes, so that they rushed through the air in a perfect cloud of flying weapons. Some damage might have been done had not the dragon quickly crawled before the others, his body being so big that it shielded every one of them, including Hank. The spears rattled against the silver scales of quacks, and then fell harmlessly to the ground. They were magic spears, of course, and all straightway bounded back into the hands of those who had thrown them. But Gough could see that it was useless to repeat the attack. It was now Queen Anne's turn to attack, so the generals yelled, forward march! And the colonels and maders and captains repeated the command, and the valiant army of Ugaboo, which seemed to be composed mainly of TikTok, marched forward in a single column toward the gnomes. While Betsy and Polychromes cheered and Hank gave a loud hee-haw, and Shaggy shouted, Hooray! And Queen Anne screamed, Add them, TikTok, add them! The gnomes did not await the clockwork man's attack, but in a twinkling disappeared into the underground caverns. They made a great mistake in being so hasty, for TikTok had not taken a dozen of steps before he stubbed his copper toe on a rock and fell flat to the ground, where he cried, Pick me up! Pick me up! Pick me up! Until Shaggy and Vals ran forward and raised him to his feet again. The dragon chuckled softly to himself as he scratched his left ear with his hen claw, but no one was paying much attention to quacks just then. It was evident to Anne and her officers that there could be no fighting, unless the enemy was present. And in order to find the enemy, they must boldly enter the underground kingdom of the gnomes. So bold a step demanded a council of war. Don't you think I'd better drop in on Ruggedu and obey the others of the Jinjin, ask quacks? By no means, returned Queen Anne, we have already put the army of gnomes to flight, and all that yet remains is to force our way into those caverns and conquer the gnome king and all his people. That seems to me something of a job said the dragon closing his eyes sleepily. But go ahead if you like, and I'll wait here for you. Don't be in any hurry on my account. To one who lives thousands of years, the delay of a few days means nothing at all, and I shall probably sleep until the time comes for me to act. Anne was provoked at this speech. You may as well go back to TTTHU too now. She said, But the gnome king is as good as conquered already. But quacks shook his head. No, said he. I'll wait. End of Chapter 15. Chapter 16 of Tiktok of Oz. This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org. Recording by J. C. Guan. Tiktok of Oz by L. Frank Baum. Chapter 16. The Naughty Gnome. Shaggy Man had said nothing during the conversation between Queen Anne and Quacks for the simple reason that he did not consider the matter worse an argument. Safe Woods and his pocket proposed the Love Magnet, which had never failed to win every heart. The gnomes he knew were not like the Heartless Roses, and therefore could be won to his side as soon as he exhibited the magic talisman. Shaggy's chief anxiety had been to reach Ragidoo's kingdom, and now that the entrance lay before him, he was confident he would be able to rescue his lost brother. Let Anne and the dragon crawl as to who should conquer the gnomes if they light. Shaggy would let them try, and if they failed, he had the means of conquest in his own pocket. But Anne was positive she could not fail, for she thought her army could do anything. So she called the officers together, and told them how to act. And she also instructed Tiktok what to do and what to say. Please do not shoot your gun, except as a last resort, she added. For I do not wish to be cruel or to shed any blood, unless it is absolutely necessary. All right, replied Tiktok. But I do not think Ragidoo would bleed if I failed him full of holes and put him in a cider press. Then the officers fell in line, the four generals abreast, and then the four carnells, and the four majors, and the four captains. They drew their glittering swords and commanded Tiktok to march, which he did. Twice he fell down, being tripped by the rough rocks, but when he struck the smooth fat, he got along better. Into the gloomy mouth of the cavern entrance he stepped without hesitation, and after him proudly pranced the officers and Queen Anne. The others held back a little, waiting to see what would happen. Of course the gnome king knew they were coming, and was prepared to receive them. Just within the rocky passage that led to the drill-throne room was a deep pit, which was usually covered. Ragidoo had ordered the cupboard removed, and it now stood open, scarcely visible in the gloom. The pit was so large around that it nearly filled the passage, and there was barely room for one to walk around it by pressing close to the rock walls. This Tiktok did, where his copper eyes saw the pit clearly and he avoided it, but the officers marched straight into the hole, and tumbled in a heap on the bottom. An instant later Queen Anne also walked into the pit, for she had her chin in the air, and was careless where she placed her feet. Then one of the gnomes pulled the lever, which replaced the cover on the pit and made the officers of Uggaboo and her queen fast prisoners. As for Tiktok, he kept straight onto the cabin where Ragidoo sat in his throne. And there he faced the gnome king and said, I hereby conquer you in the name of Queen Anne, so forth, of Uggaboo, whose army I am, and I declare that you are her prisoner. Ragidoo laughed at him. Where is this famous queen? He asked. She'll be here in a minute, said Tiktok. Now see here, Tiktok, began the gnome king in a stern voice. I have had enough of this nonsense. Your queen and her officers are all prisoners, having fallen into my prouder, so perhaps you'll tell me what you mean to do. My orders were to conquer you, replied Tiktok, and my machinery has done the best it knows how to carry out those orders. Ragidoo pounded on his gong, and Calico appeared, followed closely by General Guff. Take this copper man into the shops and set him to work hammering gold, commanded the king. Being run by machinery, he ought to be a steady worker. He ought never to have been made, but since he exists, I shall hereafter put him to good use. If you try to capture me, said Tiktok, I shall fight. Don't do that, exclaimed General Guff, earnestly, for it will be useless to resist and you might hurt someone. But Tiktok raised his gun and took aim, and not knowing what damage the gun might do, the gnomes were afraid to face it. While he was testifying the gnome king and his high officials, Betsy Bobbin rode calmly into the royal cavern, seated upon the back of Hank the Mule. The little girl had grown tired of waiting for something to happen, and so had come to see if Ruggedoo had been conquered. Nails and nuggets roared the king. How dare you bring that beast here and enter my presence unannounced? There wasn't anybody to announce me, replied Betsy. I guess your folks were all busy. Are you conquered yet? No, shouted the king, almost beside himself with rage. Then please give me something to eat, for I'm all for hungry, said the girl. You see, this conquering business is a good deal like waiting for a circus parade. It takes a long time to get around, and don't amount too much anyhow. The gnomes were so much astonished at this speech that for a time they could only glare at her silently, not finding words to reply. The king finally recovered the use of his tongue and said, Earth-crawler, this insolence to my majesty shall be your death warrant. You are an ordinary mortal, and to stop a mortal from living is so easy a thing to do that I will not keep you waiting half so long as you did for my conquest. I'd rather you wouldn't stop me from living, remarked Betsy, getting off Hank's bag and standing beside him. And it would be a pretty cheap king who killed a visitor while she was hungry. If you'll give me something to eat, I'll talk this killing business over with you afterward. Finally I warn you now that I don't approve of it, and never will. Her coldness and lack of fear impressed the gnome king, although he bore an intense hatred toward all mortals. What do you wish to eat, he asked roughly. Oh, a ham sandwich will do, or perhaps a couple of hard-boiled eggs. Eggs, shrieked the three gnomes who were present, shuddering till their teeth clattered. What's the matter, asked Betsy, wonderingly? Are eggs as high here as they are at home? Guff said the king, in an agitated voice, turning to his general. Let us destroy this rash mortal at once. Cease her and take her to the slimy cave and lock her in. Guff glanced at Tiktok, whose gun was still pointed, but just then Calico stole softly behind the copperman, and kicked his knee-joint so that they suddenly bent forward and tumbled Tiktok to the floor, his gun falling from his grasp. Then, Guff seeing Tiktok helpless, made a grab at Betsy. At the same time, Hank's heels shot out and caught the general just where his belt was buckled. He rose into the air swift as a cannonball, struck the gnome king fairly and flattened his majesty against the wall of rock on the opposite side of the cavern. Together they fell to the floor in a dazed and crumpled condition, seeing which Calico whispered to Betsy, come with me quick and I will save you. She looked into Calico's face inquiringly, and thought he seemed honest and good-natured, so she decided to follow him. He led her and the mule through several passages and into a small cavern very nicely and comfortably furnished. This is my own room, said he, but you are quite welcome to use it. Wait here a minute and I'll get you something to eat. When Calico returned, he brought a tray containing some broiled mushrooms, a loaf of mineral bread, and some petroleum butter. The butter Betsy could not eat, but the bread was good and the mushrooms delicious. Here's the door keys, said Calico. You'd better lock yourself in. Won't you let Polychrome and the Rose Princess come here, too? She asked. I'll see. Where are they? I don't know. I left them outside, said Betsy. Well, if you hear three wraps on the door, open it, said Calico, but don't let anyone in unless they give the three wraps. All right, promised Betsy. And when Calico left the cozy cavern, she closed and locked the door. In the meantime, Anne and her officers, finding themselves prisoners in the pit, had chowed at and screamed until they were tired out, but no one had come to their assistance. It was very dark and damp in the pit, and they could not climb out because the walls were higher than their heads and their cover was on. The queen was first angry and then annoyed and then discouraged, but the officers were only afraid. Every one of the poor fellows heartily wished he was back in Ugubu caring for his awkward. And some were so unhappy that they began to approach Anne for causing them all this trouble and danger. Finally the queen sat down on the bottom of the pit and leaned her back against the wall. By good luck, her sharp elbow touched a secret spring in the wall and a big flat rock swung inward. Anne fell over backward, but the next instant she jumped up and cried to the others. A passage, a passage. Follow me, my brave man, and we may yet escape. Then she began to crawl through the passage, which was as dark and dank as the pit, and the officers followed her in single file. They crawled and they crawled and they kept on crawling, for the passage was not big enough to allow them to stand upright. It turned this way and twisted that, sometimes like a corkscrew and sometimes zigzag, but seldom rang for long in a straight line. It would never end, never moaned the officers, who were rubbing all the skin of their knees on the rough rocks. It must end, retorted and courageously, or it never would have been made. We don't know where it will lead us to, but any place is better than that loads some pit. So she crawled on, and the officers crawled on, and while they were crawling through this awful underground passage, Polychrome and Shaggy and Files and the Rose Princess, who were standing outside the entrance to Ruggedoo's domains, were wondering what had become of them. Chapter 17 of Tic-Tac of Oz. This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org. Recording by Kira Belkin. Tic-Tac of Oz by L. Frank Baum. Chapter 17. A Tragic Transformation. Don't let us worry, said Shaggy to his companions, for it may take the Queen some time to conquer the Metal Monarch, as Tic-Tac has to do everything in his slow mechanical way. Do you suppose they are likely to fail, asked the Rose Princess? I do indeed, replied Shaggy. This gnome king is really a powerful fellow, and has a legion of gnomes to assist him, whereas Arabold Queen commands a clockwork man and abandons of faint-hearted officers. She ought to have let quacks do the conquering, said Polly Crome, dancing lightly upon a point of rock and fluttering her beautiful draperies. But perhaps the dragon was wise to let her go first, for when she fails to conquer Roguedo, she may become more modest in her ambitions. Where is the dragon now, inquired Asga? Up there on the rocks, replied Polly Crome. Look, my dear, you may see him from here. He said he would take a little nap while we were mixing up with Roguedo, and he added that after we had gotten into trouble he would wake up and conquer the gnome king in a jiffy, as his master the Jin-Jin has ordered him to do. Quacks means well, said Shaggy, but I do not think we shall need his services, for just as soon as I am satisfied that Queen Anne and her army have failed to conquer Roguedo, I shall enter the caverns and show the king my love-magnet, that he cannot resist, therefore the conquest will be made with ease. This speech of Shaggy-mans was overheard by the long-eared hearer, who was at that moment standing by Roguedo's side, who when the king and guff had recovered from Hank's kick and had picked themselves up, their first act was to turn tic-tac on his back and put a heavy diamond on top of him, so that he could not get up again. Then they carefully put his gun in a corner of the cavern, and the king sent guff to fetch the long-eared hearer. The hearer was still angry at Roguedo for breaking his ear, but he acknowledged the gnome king to be his master, and was ready to obey his commands. Therefore he repeated Shaggy's speech to the king, who at once realized that his kingdom was in grave danger. Roguedo knew of the love-magnet and its powers, and was horrified at the thought that Shaggy might show him the magic talisman and turn all the hatred in his heart into love. Roguedo was proud of his hatred, and abhorred love of any sort. Really said he, I'd rather be conquered and lose my wealth than my kingdom, than gaze at that awful love-magnet. What can I do to prevent the Shaggy-man from taking it out of his pocket? Roguedo returned to the cavern in time to overhear this question. And being a loyal gnome and eager to serve his king, he answered by saying, If we can manage to bind the Shaggy-man's arms tied to his body, he could not get the love-magnet out of his pocket. True! cried the king in delight at this easy solution of the problem. Get at once a dozen gnomes with ropes, and place them in the passage where they can seize and bind Shaggy as soon as he enters. This calico did, and, meanwhile, the watchers outside the entrance were growing more and more uneasy about their friends. I don't worry so much about the Uggaboo people, said Paulicroam, who had grown sober with waiting, and perhaps a little nervous, for they could not be killed, even though Roguedo might cause them much suffering, and perhaps destroy them utterly. But we should not have allowed Betsy and Hank to go alone into the caverns. The little girl is mortal, and possesses no magic powers whatever, so if Roguedo captures her, she will be wholly at his mercy. That is indeed true, replied Shaggy. I wouldn't like to have anything happen to dear little Betsy, so I believe I'll go in right away and put an end to all this worry. We may as well go with you, asserted files, for by means of the lug-magnet you can soon bring the gnome king to reason. So it was decided to wait no longer. Shaggy walked through the entrance first, and after him came the others. They had no thought of danger to themselves, and Shaggy, who was going along with his hands thrust into his pockets, was much surprised when a rope shot out from the darkness and twined around his body, pinning down his arms so securely that he could not even withdraw his hands from his pockets. Then appeared several grinning gnomes who speedily tied knots in the ropes, and then led the prisoner along the passage to the cavern. No attention was paid to the others, but files and the princess followed on after Shaggy, determined not to desert their friends, and hoping that an opportunity might arise to rescue him. As for Polychrome, as soon as she saw that trouble had overtaken Shaggy, she turned and ran lightly back through the passage and out of the entrance. Then she easily leaped from rock to rock until she paused beside the great dragon, who lay fast asleep. Wake up, Quax, she cried. It is time for you to act. But Quax did not wake up. He lay as one in a trance, absolutely motionless, with his enormous eyes tight closed. The eyelids had big silver scales on them, like all the rest of his body. Polychrome might have thought Quax was dead had she not known that dragons do not die easily, or had she not observed his huge body swelling as he briefed. She picked up a piece of rock and pounded against his eyelids with it, saying, wake up, Quax, wake up. But he would not awaken. Dear me, how unfortunate, sighed the lovely rainbow's daughter, no wonder what is the best and surest way to awaken a dragon. All our friends may be captured and destroyed while this great beast lies asleep. She walked around Quax two or three times, trying to discover some tender place on his body where a thump or a punch might be felt. But he lay extended along the rocks with his chin flat upon the ground and his legs drawn underneath his body. And all that one could see was his thick sky blue skin, thicker than that of a rhinoceros, and his silver scales. Then, despairing at last, of wakening the beast and worried over the fate of her friends, Polychrome again ran down to the entrance and hurried along the passage into the Gnome King's cavern. Here she found Rougadot lolling on his throne and smoking a long pipe. Beside him stood General Guff and Calico, and ranged before the king were the Rose Princess, Files, and the Shaggy Man. Tic-Toc still lay upon the floor, weighted down by the big diamonds. Rougadot was now in a more contented frame of mind. One by one he had met the invaders and easily captured them. The dreaded love magnet was indeed in Shaggy's pocket, only a few feet away from the king, but Shaggy was powerless to show it, and unless Rougadot's eyes beheld the talisman, it could not affect him. As for Betsy Bobbin and her mule, he believed Calico had placed them in the slimy cave. While Anne and her officers, he thought safely imprisoned in the pit. Rougadot had no fear of Files or Osga, but to be on the safe side he had ordered golden handcuffs placed upon their wrists. These did not cause them any great annoyance, but prevented them from making an attack, had they been inclined to do so. The gnome king, thinking himself wholly master of the situation, was laughing and jeering at his prisoners when Polychrome, exquisitely beautiful and dancing like a ray of light, entered the cavern. Oh ho, cried the king, a rainbow underground, eh? And then he stared hard at Polychrome, and still harder, and then he sat up and pulled the wrinkles out of his robe and arranged his whiskers. On my word, said he, you are a very captivated creature. We're over. I perceive you are a fairy. I am Polychrome, the rainbow's daughter, she said proudly. Well, replied Rougadot, I like you. The others I hate. I hate everybody but you. Wouldn't you like to live always in this beautiful cavern, Polychrome? See, the jewels that stud the walls have every tint and color of your rainbow. And they are not so elusive. I'll have fresh dew drops gathered for your feasting every day, and you shall be queen of all my gnomes, and pull Calico's nose whenever you like. No, thank you, laughed Polychrome. My home is in the sky. And I'm only on a visit to this solid, sorted earth. But tell me, Rougadot, why my friends have been wound with cords and bell with chains? They threatened me, answered Rougadot, but fools did not know how powerful I am. Then, since they are now helpless, why not release them and send them back to the earth's surface? Because I hate them and mean to make them suffer for their invasion. But I'll make a bargain with you, sweet Poly. Remain here, and live with me. And I'll set all these people free. You shall be my daughter, or my wife, or my aunt, or grandmother, whichever you like. Only stay here to brighten my gloomy kingdom and make me happy. Polychrome looked at him wonderingly. Then she turned to Shaggy and asked, are you sure he hasn't seen the love magnet? I'm positive, answered Shaggy. But you seem to be something of a love magnet yourself, Polychrome. She laughed again and said to Rougadot, not even to rescue my friends would I live in your kingdom. Nor could I endure for the long the society of such a wicked monster as you. You forget, retorted the king, scowling darkly, that you also are in my power. Not so, Rougadot. The rainbow's daughter is beyond the reach of your spite or malice. Seize her, suddenly shouted the king, and General Guff sprang forward to a bay. Polychrome stood quite still, yet when Guff attempted to clutch her, his hands met in air. And now the rainbow's daughter was in another part of the room, as smiling and composed as before. Several times Guff endeavored to capture her. And Rougadot even came down from his throne to assist his general. But never could they lay hands upon the lovely sky fairy, who flitted here and there with the swiftness of light, and constantly defied them with her merry laughter as she evaded their efforts. So after a time they abandoned the chase, and Rougadot returned to his throne and wiped the perspiration from his face with a finely woven handkerchief of cloth of gold. Well said Polychrome, what do you intend to do now? I'm going to have some fun, to repay me for all my bother, replied the gnome king. Then he said to Calico, summon the executioners. Calico at once withdrew and presently returned with a score of gnomes, all of whom were nearly as evil-looking as their hated master. They bore great golden pincers and prods of silver, and clamps and chains and various wicked-looking instruments, all made of precious metals and set with diamonds and rubies. Now Pang, said Rougadot, addressing the leader of the executioners, fetched the army of Ugubu and their queen from the pit and torture them here in my presence, as well as in the presence of their friends. It will be great sport. I hear your majesty, and I obey your majesty, answered Pang, and went with his gnomes into the passage. In a few minutes he returned and bowed to Rougadot. They're all gone, said he. Gone, exclaimed the king. Gone where? They left no address to your majesty, but they are not in the pit. Pigs and puddles, roared the king. Who took the cover off? No one, said Pang, the cover was there, but the prisoners were not under it. In that case, snarled the king, trying to control his disappointment. Go to the slimy cave and fetch either the girl and the donkey. And while we are torturing them, Calico must take a hundred gnomes and search for the escaped prisoners, the queen of Ugubu and her officers. If he does not find them, I will torture Calico. Calico went away looking sad and disturbed, for he knew the king was cruel and unjust enough to carry out his threat. Pang and the executioners also went away in another direction. But when they came back, Betsy Bobbin was not with them, nor was Hank. There is no one in the slimy cave, your majesty, reported Pang. Jumping jelly cakes, screamed the king. Another escape? Are you sure you found the right cave? There is but one slimy cave. And there is no one in it, returned Pang positively. Ruggedo was beginning to be alarmed, as well as angry. However, these disappointments but made him the more vindictive, and he cast an evil look at the other prisoners and said, Nevermind the girl and the donkey. Here are four, at least. You cannot escape my vengeance. Let me see. I believe I'll change my mind about TikTok. Have the gold crucible heated to a white seething heat, and then we'll dump the copper man into it and melt him up. But your majesty, protested Calico, who had returned to the room after sending 100 gnomes to search for the Ugubu people. You must remember that TikTok is a very curious and interesting machine. It would be a shame to deprive the world of such a clever contrivance. Say another word, and you'll go into the furnace with him, roared the king. I'm getting tired of you, Calico. And the first thing you know, I'll turn you into a potato and make Saratoga chips of you. The next to consider, he added more mildly, is the shaggy man. As he owns the love magnet, I think I'll transform him into a dove, and then we can practice shooting at him with TikTok's gun. Now this is a very interesting ceremony, and I beg you all to watch me closely and see that I have nothing on my sleeve. He came out of his throne to stand before the shaggy man, and then he waved his hands, palms downward, and seven semicircles over his victim's head, saying in a low but clear tone of voice the magic Uugua. Adi edi edi odi udi ui u, idu aido idi ide idauu. The effect of this well-known sorcery was instantaneous. Instead of the shaggy man, a pretty dove lay fluttering upon the floor, its wings combined by the tiny cords wound around them. Ragadou gave an order to Pang who cut the cords with a pair of scissors. Being freed, the dove quickly flew upward and alighted on the shoulder of the rose princess who stroked it tenderly. Very good, very good, cried Ragadou, rubbing his hands gleefully together. One enemy is out of my way, and now for the others. Perhaps my reader should be warned not to attempt the above transformation. Four, although the exact magical formula has been described, it is unlawful in all civilized countries for anyone to transform a person into a dove by muttering the words Ragadou used. There were no laws to prevent the gnome king from performing this transformation, but if it should be attempted in any other country and the magic worked, the magician would be severely punished. When Polychromes saw Shaggy Man transformed into a dove and realized that Ragadou was about to do something as dreadful to the princess and philes, and that TikTok would soon be melted in a crucible, she turned and ran from the cavern through the passage and back to the place where quacks lay asleep. End of Chapter 17, A Tragic Transformation, recording by Cura Belkin, Highland Park, New Jersey. Chapter 18, A Clever Conquest. The great dragon still had his eyes closed and was even snoring in a manner that resembled a distant thunder. But Polychromes was now desperate because any further delay meant the destruction of her friends. She seized the pearl necklace, to which was attached the great locket and jerked it with all her strength. The result was encouraging. Quacks stopped snoring and his eyelids flickered. So Polychromes jerked again and again, little slowly the great lids raised and the dragon looked at her steadily, said he in a sleepy tone. Oh, it's the matter, little rainbow. Come quick, exclaimed Polychromes. Ragadou has captured all our friends and is about to destroy them. Well, well, said Quacks, I suspected that would happen. Step a little out of my path, my dear, and I'll make a rush for the Noem King's Cavern. He fell back a few steps and Quacks raised himself on his stout legs, whisked his long tail, and in an instant had slid down the rocks and made a dive through the entrance. Along the passage he swept, nearly filling it with his immense body, and now he poked his head into the jeweled cavern of Ragadou. But the king had long since made arrangements to capture the dragon whenever he might appear. No sooner did Quacks stick his head into the room than a thick chain fell from above and encircled his neck. Then the ends of the chain were drawn tight, for in an adjoining cavern a thousand gnomes were pulling on them, and so the dragon could advance no further toward the king. He could not use his teeth or his claws, and as his body was still in the passage he had not even room to strike his foes with his terrible tail. Bo was delighted with the success of his strategy. He had just transformed the rose princess into a fiddle and was about to transform Files into a fiddle-bow when the dragon appeared to interrupt him. So he called out, Welcome, my dear Quacks, to my royal entertainment. Since you are here you shall witness some very neat magic, and after I have finished with Files and TikTok I mean to transform you into a tiny lizard, one of the chameleons sort, and you shall lift my cavern and amuse me. Pardon me for contradicting your majesty, return Quacks in a quiet voice, but I don't believe you'll perform any more magic. Eh, why not? Asked the king in surprise. There's a reason, said Quacks. Do you see this ribbon around my neck? Yes, and I am astonished that a dignified dragon should wear such a silly thing. Do you see it plainly persisted the dragon with a little chuckle of amusement? I do, declared Raghido. Then you no longer possess any magical powers and are as helpless as a clam, asserted Quacks. My great master, Tititi Huchu, the Jinjin, enchanted this ribbon in such a way that whatever your majesty looked upon it, all knowledge of magic would desert you instantly, nor will any magical formula you can remember ever perform your bidding. Poo, I don't believe a word of it, cried Raghido, half frightened, nevertheless. Then he turned towards Files and tried to transform him into a fiddle-bow. But he could not remember the right words or the right pass of the hands, and after several trials he finally gave up the attempt. By this time the gnome king was so alarmed that he was secretly shaking in his shoes. I told him not to anger Tititi Huchu, grumbled Calico, and now you see the result of your disobedience. Raghido promptly threw his scepter at his royal chamberlain, who dodged it with his usual cleverness, and then he said, with an attempt to swagger, Never mind, I don't need magic to enable me to destroy these invaders. Fire and the sword will do the business, and I am still king of the gnomes and lord and master of my underground kingdom. Again I beg to differ with your majesty, said Quacks. The great Jinjin commands you to depart instantly from this kingdom and seek the earth's surface where you will wander for all time to come, without a home or a country, without a friend or a follower, and without any more riches than you can carry with you in your pockets. The great Jinjin is so generous that he will allow you to fill your pockets with jewels or gold, but you must take nothing more. Raghido now stared at the dragon in amazement. Does Titi Huchu condemn me to such a fate? He asked in a hoarse voice. He does, said Quacks. And just for throwing a few strangers down the forbidden tube? Just for that, repeated Quacks in a stern gruff voice. Well, I won't do it. And your crazy old Jinjin can't make me do it either, declared Raghido. I intend to remain here king of the gnomes until the end of the world. And I defy your Titi Huchu and all his fairies, as well as his clumsy messenger, whom I have been obliged to chain up. The dragon smiled again, but it was not the sort of smile that made Raghido feel very happy. Instead, there is something so cold and merciless in the dragon's expression that the condemned gnome king trembled and was sick at heart. There is little comfort for Raghido in the fact that the dragon was now chained, although he had boasted of it. He glared at the immense head of Quacks as he fascinated, and there was fear in the old king's eyes as he watched his enemies' movements. The dragon was now moving, not abruptly, but as if he had something to do and was about to do it. Very deliberately he raised one claw, touched the catch of the great jeweled locket that suspended around his neck, and at once it opened wide. Nothing much happened at first. Half a dozen hen's eggs rolled out upon the floor, and then the locket closed with a sharp click. But the effect upon the gnomes of this simple thing was astounding. General Guff, Calico, Pang, and his band of executioners were all standing close to the door that led to the vast series of underground caverns, which constituted the dominions of the gnomes. And as soon as they saw the eggs, they raised their cores of frantic screams and rushed through the door, slamming it in Ruggado's face and placing a heavy bronze bar across it. Ruggado, dancing with terror and uttering a loud cries, now leaped upon the seat of his throne to escape the eggs, which had rolled steadily toward him. Perhaps these eggs, sent by the wise and crafty Tititi Huchu, were in some way enchanted, for they all rolled directly after Ruggado, and when they reached the throne where he had taken refuge, they began rolling up the legs to the seat. This was too much for the king to bear. His horror of eggs was real and absolute, and he made a leap from the throne to the center of the room and then ran to a far corner. The eggs followed, rolling slowly but steadily in his direction. Ruggado threw his scepter at them and then his ruby crown, and then he drew off his heavy golden sandals and hurled these at the advancing eggs. But the eggs dodged every missile and continued to draw nearer. The king stood trembling, his eyes staring in terror, until they were about half a year distant. Then with an agile leap he jumped clear over them and made a rush for the passage that led to the outer entrance. Of course the dragon was in his way, being chained in the passage with his head in the cavern, but when he saw the king making toward him he crouched as low as he could and dropped his chin to the floor, leaving a small space between his body and the roof of the passage. Ruggado did not hesitate an instant. Impilled by fear he leaped to the dragon's nose and then scrambled to his back, where he succeeded in squeezing himself through the opening. After the head was passed there was more room, and he slid along the dragon's scales to his tail and then ran as fast as his legs would carry him to the entrance. Not pausing here so great was his fright. The king dashed on down the mountain path, but before he had gone very far he stumbled and fell. When he picked himself up he observed that no one was following him, and while he recovered his breath he happened to think of the decree of the Jinjin that he should be driven from his kingdom and made a wanderer on the face of the earth. Well, here he was, driven from his cavern in truth, driven by those dreadful eggs, but he would go back and defy them. He would not submit to losing his precious kingdom and his tyrannical powers all because Titi Hujou had said he must. Although, although still afraid, Ragadoe nerved himself to keep back along the path to the entrance, and when he arrived there he saw the six eggs lying in a row just before the arched opening. At first he paused a safe distance away to consider the case, for the eggs were now motionless. While he was wondering what could be done he remembered that there was some magical charm which would destroy eggs and render them harmless to gnomes. There were nine passes to be made and six verses of incantation to be recited, but Ragadoe knew them all. Now that he had ample time to be exact he carefully went through the entire ceremony. But nothing happened. The eggs did not disappear as he had expected. Also he repeated the charm a second time. When that also failed he remembered for the moment of despair that his magic power had been taken away from him, and in the future he could do no more than any common mortal. And there were the eggs, forever barring him from the kingdom which he had ruled so long with absolute sway. He threw rocks at them but could not hit a single egg. He raved and scolded, and tore his hair and beard and danced in helpless passion, but that did nothing to avert the just judgment of the Jinjin which Ragadoe's own evil deeds had brought upon him. From this time on he was an outcast, a wanderer upon the face of the earth, and he had even forgotten to fill his pockets with gold and jewels before he fled from his former kingdom. End of Chapter 18 A Clever Conquest