“No, we don’t know her,” replied Trot, “but we’ve certainly heard of her. She conquered Pumperdink once, and Ozma punished her. She must have done this to get even.”
“Undoubtedly,” agreed Falingo dryly.
“But how could she?” asked Betsy wonderingly. “She doesn’t look a bit like Ozma —she’s ugly and wrinkled, and old as the hills.“ Falingo flushed, but said nothing. “If she knows magic, there’s nothing to stop her from looking any way she wants,” explained Cap’n Bill.
“That’s right,” Betsy admitted. “Well, let’s go conquer her.“ Smiling, Falingo led the way into the courtyard where Glinda’s swan chariot was waiting. As they took their places, Falingo spoke to the swans, who rose obediently into the air. The chariot moved swiftly; it was not long before they could see the glittering spires of the Emerald Palace.
A tired, frightened-looking servant led the swans away, while another escorted them to the Throne Room where Faleero was amusing herself by scolding a page. She glanced up in annoyance, but dismissed the frightened page, who ran away crying.
Then, recognizing her visitors, she sprang up angrily.
“Surprised to see us?” smiled Falingo.
“I’m surprised to see these three,” returned Faleero. “I know I told them to leave the Palace and never come back. But since they have, I’m sure I can take care of them.”
“You can’t do anything to us,” cried Trot defiantly. “We know you’re not Ozma!“ For a moment, Faleero stared at the little girl in silence; then shifting her eyes to Falingo, she asked quietly, “How did they find out?”
“How?” sneered Falingo contemptuously. “How do you suppose? I warned you that your bad temper would give you away.“ Betsy stared at her in wide-eyed astonishment. “Why! — you’re not Glinda either!“ Falingo laughed. “No, my dear, I’m not,” she confessed. “Still, you must admit that I played my part a great deal more convincingly than Faleero has.”
“Who-who are you?” faltered Cap’n Bill hoarsely.
“That’s none of your business!” snapped Faleero. “Now keep still while I decide what to do with you.“ Both little girls caught Cap’n Bill’s hands apprehensively. He faced the two wicked old fairies bravely. “You’re going to get into a heap of trouble if you keep on this way. Nobody has ever conquered Oz yet that’s got away with it. When Ozma gets back…”
“Ozma isn’t getting back—I’ve seen to that,” interrupted Faleero. “Now be quiet— I’m thinking….” She studied them carefully. “I think I’ll change the girls to a pair of jade figures to go on either side of the mantel. As for the old man…”
“Why not make a figure of him, just as he is?” suggested Falingo maliciously.
“He’d make a contrast with all the pretty things here.“ Faleero nodded thoughtfully. “That’s a good idea. I believe I will.”
“Now look here!” broke in Cap’n Bill. “You can’t get away with that. You’d better let us go if you know what’s good for you.“ Faleero turned on him savagely, but before she could speak, the door flew open.
Kettywig burst in breathless and panting. Trot and Betsy turned to him in a hope that was quickly dispelled when he spoke.
“The people have revolted!” he cried. “They are storming the gates right now. I told you your greed and harshness would ruin everything.“ Faleero’s face contorted with rage. “Let them come! I’ll speak to them from the balcony. If they refuse to submit, I’ll turn them all to cobblestones and walk on them!”
“What about these three?” inquired Falingo, a wave of her hand indicating the prisoners.
“They can wait!” snapped Faleero. “After I have dealt with this rabble, I’ll attend to them.” Flinging open the door, she stepped out on the balcony. Falingo and Kettywig followed. After a moment’s hesitation, so did Trot, Betsy and Cap’n Bill. A cry went up from the throng of people in the garden. Faleero held up a hand for silence.
“Return to your homes at once, or it will be the worse for you,” she began threateningly. Before she could say more, she was drowned out in a roar of protesting voices. “Silence!” she screeched. The startled people fell silent once more, and she continued. “As Ruler of Oz, I command you to disperse and go back to your homes.”
“She’s not Ozma!” screamed Betsy, attempting to brush past her. “She’s an impostor! She’s…” The rest of the sentence was smothered as Falingo clapped a hand over her mouth and roughly dragged her back. Kettywig swung threateningly toward Trot and Cap’n Bill, but they did not even see him.
With popping eyes, they were staring at the foot of the garden.
Kettywig turned to see—and stood rooted in amazement and fear.
Hurrying toward them were Ozma, Glinda and the Wizard, accompanied by Jinnicky, Dorothy, the Cowardly Lion and a strange winged boy. Faleero saw them and stopped dead in the middle of a sentence, her mouth open, paralyzed with fright. The angry crowd, sensing the disturbance, turned to behold the incredible sight of their little Ruler approaching them, while on the balcony stood her counterpart.
CHAPTER XXI
PEACE RESTORED
“Seize them! They are impostors!” cried Ozma.
Most of the crowd stood still, overcome by surprise, but a few quicker witted men advanced threateningly toward the balcony where Faleero stood. She looked about for a way to escape.
“Use the Magic Belt and turn them all to toads!” screamed Falingo. With a wild yell, Cap’n Rill leaped at Faleero and snatched away the Magic Belt. Shrieking with rage and terror, the old Fairy rushed at him. Trot and Betsy sprang to his aid, but as Falingo and Kettywig quickly joined Faleero, the struggle seemed unequal.
With a rush of wings, the strange boy hovered over them. “Throw it!” he called.
Without stopping to think, Cap’n Bill threw. Deftly catching the Belt midair, Rory sailed back to Ozma, landed gently and presented the Belt to her.
Then, pushing through the stupified crowd, Ozma confronted the cowering Faleero. Jinnicky hurried to her side, a silver flagon in his hand. At Ozma’s nod, he tossed the contents in the faces of the three conspirators. At its touch, the enchantment was broken.
The startled people now saw before them Faleero scowling malignantly, Falingo frightened and defiant, and Kettywig rubbing his hands together uneasily.
Ozma faced the crowd. “You can all see that these wicked creatures have been impersonating us. Before you return to your homes, I wish you would go through the city and tell everyone what has taken place here. Everything will be as it was before she came.“ The people started to move away, then paused indecisively. One of the men addressed Ozma. “What will you do to these people, your Majesty?“ Ozma hesitated. “What would you suggest?” she asked finally.
“I’d turn them into toads as she suggested,” answered the man, pointing to Falingo, “but, as I know you wouldn’t do that, I think they should be made to drink the Water of Oblivion and be sent back to their homes.“ Ozma looked at the sullen faces of the prisoners. “That would be best,” she agreed. “Take them to the Fountain.“ The conspirators were hustled away to the Fountain where the magic water was thrust upon them. As they drank, the wickedness was erased from their faces.
They looked at the excited crowd in helpless bewilderment.
With a quick word, Ozma sent them back to their home in Follensby Forest, and for all I know, they are living there yet.
As the people wandered off, laughing and shouting their pleasure at the pleasant manner in which the revolution had been settled, Ozma and her friends entered the Palace. Grouped in a cozy circle, they began recounting their many adventures.
A rap was heard at the door, and a little maid entered. “Oh, my goodness!” gasped Dorothy. “I had forgotten all about her.”
“About Jellia?” inquired Ozma, puzzled.
“That isn’t Jellia,” explained Dorothy gently. “That’s Faleero’s servant.“ Ozma stared, bewildered, and Dubra hid her face in her apron and wailed. “I didn’t
want to do it. They made me do it,” she sobbed over and over again.
“All right,” soothed Ozma wearily. “Stop crying. I’ll send you back to Follensby Forest.”
“Better give her a drink from the Fountain first,” counseled Cap’n Bill.
“I’ll get it,” volunteered Trot, running out of the room.
“Wait a minute,” called Betsy suddenly, as Trot returned. “Make her tell us what Faleero did with Scraps and the Soldier with the Green Whiskers and all the rest of our friends.“ Dubra only cried harder when Ozma questioned her. “I don’t know anything about them,” she insisted.
“Well, stop crying and tell us where the Magic Picture is anyway,” ordered Dorothy sharply.
“I’ll get it.” Dubra left the room, wiping her eyes on her apron, returning shortly with the picture. “Faleero told me to take care of it, so I kept it under my pillow,” she sniffed.
“Here — drink this,” commanded Trot, thrusting the cup into her hands.
Obediently, Dubra drank, and Ozma quickly sent her to join her mistress.
With the help of the Magic Picture, Ozma had little trouble locating and restoring her missing friends. The Soldier with the Green Whiskers resigned on the spot and sulked for three hours before they could persuade him to take his job back. The Tin Woodman went back to his kingdom with the glad news that it was all a mistake, and the war was called off. At Dorothy’s request, Ozma sent a message to Guph, ordering him to return the Gnome Kingdom to Kaliko.
Jinnicky volunteered to undertake the restoration of Pumperdink.
Ozma willingly consented, and transported the little Jinn to the spot by means of her Magic Belt. In the Magic Picture, they watched Pumperdink grow from an ant hill to its former splendor. The beetle that was Kabumpo was difficult to find, but at last Jinnicky located him sitting disconsolately on the branch of a tree.
It took twelve powders and at least thirty magic words and passes to restore him, but at length the watchers had the pleasure of seeing the Elegant Elephant rapturously greeting the little Jinn.
That evening, Dorothy approached Ozma as she sat in the garden. “Tomorrow’s Thursday,” she began.
“That’s just what I was thinking,” smiled the little fairy, slipping an arm around her friend’s waist. “It’s the day for the Scarecrow’s party. Won’t it be fun?“ And although I was not invited, I am sure it will be the merriest party ever held in all Oz.
THE END
The Red Jinn Page 13
