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CHAPTER 18 - THE CONFERENCE

Now then," said the Wizard, "let us talk this matter over and decide what to

do when we get to Ugu's wicker castle. There can be no doubt that the

Shoemaker is a powerful Magician, and his powers have been increased a

hundredfold since he secured the Great Book of Records, the Magic Picture,

all of Glinda's recipes for sorcery, and my own black bag, which was full of

tools of wizardry. The man who could rob us of those things and the man

with all their powers at his command is one who may prove somewhat difficult

to conquer, therefore we should plan our actions well before we venture too

near to his castle."

I didn't see Ozma in the Magic Picture," said Trot. "What do you suppose Ugu

has done with her?"

Couldn't the Little Pink Bear tell us what he did with Ozma?" asked Button-

Bright.

To be sure," replied the Lavender King. "I'll ask him." So he turned the crank

in the Little Pink Bear's side and inquired, "Did Ugu the Shoemaker steal

Ozma of Oz?"

Yes," answered the Little Pink Bear.

Then what did he do with her?" asked the King.

Shut her up in a dark place," answered the Little Pink Bear.

Oh, that must be a dungeon cell!" cried Dorothy, horrified. "How dreadful!"

Well, we must get her out of it," said the Wizard. "That is what we came for,

and of course we must rescue Ozma. But how?"

Each one looked at some other one for an answer, and all shook their heads in

a grave and dismal manner. All but Scraps, who danced around them

gleefully. "You're afraid," said the Patchwork Girl, "because so many things

can hurt your meat bodies. Why don't you give it up and go home? How can

you fight a great magician when you have nothing to fight with?"

Dorothy looked at her reflectively.

The Lost Princess of Oz