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Can't the Pink Bear tell?" asked Cayke anxiously.

No, for that is in the future. He can tell anything that HAS happened, but

nothing that is going to happen. Don't ask me why, for I don't know."

Well," said the Cookie Cook after a little thought, "I mean to go to this

magician, anyhow, and tell him I want my dishpan. I wish I knew what Ugu

the Shoemaker is like."

Then I'll show him to you," promised the King. "But do not be frightened. It

won't be Ugu, remember, but only his image." With this, he waved his metal

wand, and in the circle suddenly appeared a thin little man, very old and

skinny, who was seated on a wicker stool before a wicker table. On the table

lay a Great Book with gold clasps. The Book was open, and the man was

reading in it. He wore great spectacles which were fastened before his eyes by

means of a ribbon that passed around his head and was tied in a bow at the

neck. His hair was very thin and white; his skin, which clung fast to his

bones, was brown and seared with furrows; he had a big, fat nose and little

eyes set close together.

On no account was Ugu the Shoemaker a pleasant person to gaze at. As his

image appeared before them, all were silent and intent until Corporal Waddle,

the Brown Bear, became nervous and pulled the trigger of his gun. Instantly,

the cork flew out of the tin barrel with a loud "pop!" that made them all jump.

And at this sound, the image of the magician vanished.

So THAT'S the thief, is it?" said Cayke in an angry voice. "I should think he'd

be ashamed of himself for stealing a poor woman's diamond dishpan! But I

mean to face him in his wicker castle and force him to return my property."

To me," said the Bear King reflectively, "he looked like a dangerous person. I

hope he won't be so unkind as to argue the matter with you."

The Frogman was much disturbed by the vision of Ugu the Shoemaker, and

Cayke's determination to go to the magician filled her companion with

misgivings. But he would not break his pledged word to assist the Cookie

Cook, and after breathing a deep sigh of resignation, he asked the King, "Will

Your Majesty lend us this Pink Bear who answers questions that we may take

him with us on our journey? He would be very useful to us, and we will

promise to bring him safely back to you."

The King did not reply at once. He seemed to be thinking.

The Lost Princess of Oz