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King of Bear Center. Also, I will admit that things are rather quiet in our city

just now, and the excitement of your capture, followed by your trial and

execution, should afford us much entertainment."

We defy you!" said the Frogman.

Oh no, don't do that," pleaded Cayke, speaking to her companion. "He says

his King is a sorcerer, so perhaps it is he or one of his bears who ventured to

steal my jeweled dishpan. Let us go to the City of the Bears and discover if my

dishpan is there."

I must now register one more charge against you," remarked the little Brown

Bear with evident satisfaction. "You have just accused us of stealing, and that

is such a dreadful thing to say that I am quite sure our noble King will

command you to be executed."

But how could you execute us?" inquired the Cookie Cook.

I've no idea. But our King is a wonderful inventor, and there is no doubt he

can find a proper way to destroy you. So tell me, are you going to struggle, or

will you go peaceably to meet your doom?"

It was all so ridiculous that Cayke laughed aloud, and even the Frogman's

wide mouth curled in a smile. Neither was a bit afraid to go to the Bear City,

and it seemed to both that there was a possibility they might discover the

missing dishpan. So the Frogman said, "Lead the way, little Bear, and we will

follow without a struggle."

That's very sensible of you, very sensible indeed," declared the Brown Bear.

So for-ward, MARCH!" And with the command he turned around and began

to waddle along a path that led between the trees.

Cayke and the Frogman, as they followed their conductor, could scarce

forbear laughing at his stiff, awkward manner of walking, and although he

moved his stuffy legs fast, his steps were so short that they had to go slowly in

order not to run into him. But after a time they reached a large, circular space

in the center of the forest, which was clear of any stumps or underbrush. The

ground was covered by a soft, gray moss, pleasant to tread upon. All the trees

surrounding this space seemed to be hollow and had round holes in their

trunks, set a little way above the ground, but otherwise there was nothing

unusual about the place and nothing, in the opinion of the prisoners, to

indicate a settlement. But the little Brown Bear said in a proud and

The Lost Princess of Oz