Shaggy hesitated to reply, but Betsy said: “He’s called the Ugly One. Perhaps you’ll know him by that.”
“The only person we have seen in this cavern,” said Ann, “has run away from us whenever we approached him. He hides over yonder, among the trees that are not gold, and we have never been able to catch sight of his face. So I cannot tell whether he is ugly or not.”
“That must be my dear brother!” exclaimed Shaggy.
“Yes, it must be,” assented Kaliko. “No one else inhabits this splendid dome, so there can be no mistake.”
“But why does he hide among those green trees, instead of enjoying all these glittery golden ones?” asked Betsy.
“Because he finds food among the natural trees,” replied Kaliko, "and I remember that he has built a little house there, to sleep in. As for these glittery golden trees, I will admit they are very pretty at first sight. One cannot fail to admire them, as well as the rich jewels scattered beneath them; but if one has to look at them always, they become pretty tame."
“I believe that is true,” declared Shaggy. “My dear brother is very wise to prefer real trees to the imitation ones. But come; let us go there and find him.”
Shaggy started for the green grove at once, and the others followed him, being curious to witness the final rescue of his long-sought, long-lost brother.
Not far from the edge of the grove they came upon a small hut, cleverly made of twigs and golden branches woven together. As they approached the place they caught a glimpse of a form that darted into the hut and slammed the door tight shut after him.
Shaggy Man ran to the door and cried aloud: