The Discovery of Oz, the Terrible
The four travelers walked up to the great gate of Emerald City and rang the bell. After ringing several times, it ened by the same Guardian of the Gates they had met be- fore.
"What! are you back again?" he asked, in surprise.
"Do you not see us?" answered the Scarecrow.
"But I thought you had goo visit the Wicked Witch of the West.」
"We did visit her," said the Scarecrow.
"And she let you go again?" asked the man, in wonder.
"She could not help it, for she is melted," explaihe Scarecrow.
"Melted! Well, that is good news, indeed," said the man.
"Who melted her?」
"It was Dorothy," said the Lion gravely.
"Good gracious!" exclaimed the man, and he bowed very low indeed before her.
Then he led them into his little room and locked the specta- cles from the great box on all their eyes, just as he had done before. Afterward they passed on through the gate into the Emerald City. When the people heard from the Guardian of the Gates that Dorothy had melted the Wicked Witch of the West, they all gathered around the travelers and followed them in a great crowd to the Palace of Oz.
The soldier with the green whiskers was still on guard be- fore the door, but he let them in at once, and they were agai by the beautiful green girl, who showed each of them to their old rooms at once, so they might rest until the Great Oz was ready to receive them.
The soldier had the news carried straight to Oz that Dorothy and the other travelers had e back again, after destroying the Wicked Witch; but Oz made no reply. They thought the Great Wizard would send for them at once, but he did not. They had no word from him the day, nor the , nor the . The waiting was tiresome and wearing, and at last they grew vexed that Oz should treat them in so poor a fashion, after sending them to undergo hardships and slavery.
So the Scarecrow at last asked the green girl to take another message to Oz, saying if he did not let them in to see him at ohey would call the Winged Moo help them, and find out whether he kept his promises or not. When the Wiz- ard was given this message he was shtehat he sent word for them to e to the Throne Room at four minutes after nine oclock the m. He had o the Winged Monkeys in the Land of the West, and he did not wish to meet them again.
The four travelers passed a sleepless night, each thinking of the gift Oz had promised to bestow on him. Dorothy fell asleep only once, and then she dreamed she was in Kansas, where Aunt Em was telling her how glad she was to have her little girl at home again.
Promptly at nine oclock the m the green- whiskered soldier came to them, and four minutes later they all went into the Throne Room of the Great Oz.
Of course eae of them expected to see the Wizard in the shape he had taken before, and all were greatly surprised when they looked about and saw no o all in the room.
They kept close to the door and closer to one another, for the stillness of the empty room was more dreadful than any of the forms they had seen Oz take.
Presently they heard a Voice, seeming to e from some- where he top of the great dome, and it said, solemnly.
"I am Oz, the Great and Terrible. Why do you seek me?」
They looked again in every part of the room, and then, see- ing no one, Dorothy asked, "Where are you?」
"I am everywhere," answered the Voice, "but to the eyes