The Magic of Oz

away from me. Where are you going now?"

I'm going into the inn, to get some supper and a bed," said Kiki.

Have you the money to pay for it?" asked the Nome.

I have one gold piece."

Which you stole. Very good. And you're glad that you're wicked.

Better yet. I like you, young man, and I'll go to the inn with you if you'll

promise not to eat eggs for supper."

Don't you like eggs?" asked Kiki.

I'm afraid of 'em; they're dangerous!" said Ruggedo, with a shudder.

All right," agreed Kiki; "I won't ask for eggs."

Then come along," said the Nome.

When they entered the inn, the landlord scowled at Kiki and said:

I told you I would not feed you unless you had money."

Kiki showed him the gold piece.

And how about you?" asked the landlord, turning to Ruggedo. "Have

you money?"

I've something better," answered the old Nome, and taking a bag from

one of his pockets he poured from it upon the table a mass of glittering

gems--diamonds, rubies and emeralds.

The landlord was very polite to the strangers after that. He served them

an excellent supper, and while they ate it, the Hyup boy asked his

companion:

Where did you get so many jewels?"

Well, I'll tell you," answered the Nome. "When those Oz people took

my kingdom away from me--just because it was my kingdom and I wanted

to run it to suit myself-- they said I could take as many precious stones as I

could carry. So I had a lot of pockets made in my clothes and loaded them

all up. Jewels are fine things to have with you when you travel; you can

trade them for anything."

Are they better than gold pieces?" asked Kiki.

The smallest of these jewels is worth a hundred gold pieces such as

you stole from the old man."

"Don't talk so loud," begged Kiki, uneasily. "Some one else might hear