“Oh! Here’s Glinda,” shouted the Scarecrow, tossing up his hat. “Now we shall know what’s happened to Ruggedo.”
Leaving the Country for a moment, they all ran to welcome the good Sorceress of Oz. Glinda’s reports were most satisfactory. Ruggedo had walked straight back to the Emerald City, stepped into the yawning cavern, and immediately the palace had settled firmly upon its old foundations. Then had come a muffled explosion, and when Glinda and Dorothy ran through the secret passage, which had been discovered meanwhile by the Soldier with the Green Whiskers, they saw Ruggedo, shrunken to his former size, sitting angrily on his sixth rock of history.
“I have locked him up in the palace,” finished Glinda, “and I strongly advise your Highness to punish him severely.”
Ozma sighed. “What would you do?” she asked, appealing to the Scarecrow. So many things had come up for her attention and advice in the last few hours that the little fairy ruler felt positively dizzy.
“Let’s all sit down in a circle and think,” proposed the Scarecrow cheerfully. This they all did except Kabumpo, who stood off glumly by himself. Peg was looking anxiously at Pompadore, for the Elegant Elephant had told her of Ozma’s refusal, and wondering sadly what she could do to help, when the Scarecrow bounced up impulsively.
“I have it,” chuckled the Straw Man. “Let’s send Ruggedo off on the Runaway Country. He deserves to be banished and, if Ozma makes the Country an Island, he can do no harm.”
Here Ozma had to stop and explain to Glinda about the Country that wanted to be an Island, and after a short consultation they decided to take the Scarecrow’s advice.
“Just as soon as I reach the Emerald City I’ll put on my Magic Belt and wish him onto the Island,” declared Ozma. “And I think we’d better go right straight back,” she added thoughtfully, “for it’s growing darker every minute and Dorothy will be anxious to hear everything that’s happened.”
“Now you”—Ozma tapped Pompadore gently on the arm—“You must start at once for Sun Top Mountain. I’m going to ask the Question Box just where it is.”
Pompa sighed deeply, and when Ozma consulted the Question Box as to the location of Sun Top Mountain, it stated that this Kingdom was in the very Centre of the North Winkie Country. “That’s fine,” said Ozma, clapping her hands. “I’ll have the Runaway country carry you over the Deadly Desert, and as soon as you have married the Princess you must bring her to see me in the Emerald City.”