“It’s a trick of the Wizard’s,” faltered Dorothy, looking hopefully at the little man. But the Wizard, peering palely from behind a huge green chair, shook his head positively. “I had no hand in this,” muttered the Wizard, mopping his bald head with his best hanky. Now, Kuma’s hand could unfortunately carry out only the instructions given it by its owner. The note of warning for Ozma was tightly clasped in its fingers, but as Ozma was not present, it presumed she was to be found in another part of the palace and immediately flashed up the golden stairway in search of her and the invisible gnome. But Ruggedo was now more invisible than ever, having crawled under the table at the first sight of the flying arm. As the arm disappeared, everyone heaved a high of relief. “Come! Come!” wheezed the Wizard, stepping out nervously from behind the green chair, “we must not let a little thing like this spoil the party.” “Why, it’s three o’clock now!” “And here’s Ozma!” cried Dorothy. And there, indeed, was Ozma, standing with a quiet smile in the doorway. At once the Scarecrow burst into his speech: “Welcome Ozma, beauteous Queen Sovereign of this City Green, Illustrious ruler--” [Illustration] Thump! Ban--g! CRASH! With hand still upraised, the Scarecrow swung to the long French windows. So did everyone for that matter. “A menagerie!” shrilled Nick Chopper, falling back against the wall. “Why, it’s Scraps!” burst out the Scarecrow, as the oztrich, with his three dusty riders, plunged giddily into the room. [Illustration] “Beware!” roared the oztrich in a terrible voice, and when an oztrich roars it is four times louder than a lion. “Beware!” Knocking over Tik Tok and three footmen, bearing trays of lemonade, the great green bird rushed impetuously toward the queen. “Beware!” it roared again so lustily that Ozma’s curls blew straight out behind. “Beware,” coughed the Scarecrow irritably. “Well, I ought to be where you are. Out of my place, you rude monster.” “Beware the Gnome King!” finished the oztrich, bowing his head so low and so suddenly that the Patchwork Girl fell off one side and Peter and Grumpy off the other. [Illustration] [Illustration] [Illustration] CHAPTER 18 The Theft Of The Magic Belt Ozma, surprised enough at the party, was so startled and dismayed by the oztrich’s roars that she caught at a little gold stand to keep from falling. As she steadied herself, two arms clasped themselves round her waist. “Oh! Oh! Someone is trying to steal my magic belt!” wailed the little fairy, swaying dizzily from side to side. “Take this! Take this!” Bounding to his feet, Peter picked up the oztrich egg and fairly forced it into Ozma’s arms. As he did so there came a blood-curdling screech, and then, perfect silence. “It’s Ruggedo!” puffed the Patchwork Girl, who had picked herself up by this time. [Illustration]