as soon as she had clasped the belt around her waist. No
sooner were the words out before there was a loud crash and a series
of roars and groans. Everybody started on a run for the palace, Sir
Hokus ahead of all the rest. The fan had mysteriously returned to
Dorothy's pocket.

The three animals had fallen into a huge cluster of rose bushes and,
though badly scratched and frightened, were really unhurt.

"I doubt that I'll like Oz," quavered the Doubtful Dromedary,
lurching toward Sir Hokus.

"You might have been more careful of that fan," growled the Cowardly
Lion reproachfully, plucking thorns from his hide. The Comfortable
Camel was so overjoyed to see the Knight that he rested his head on
Sir Hokus's shoulder and began weeping down his armor.

And now that their adventures seemed really over, what explanations
were to be made! Sitting on the top step of the palace with all of
them around her, Dorothy told the whole wonderful story of the
Scarecrow's family tree. When her breath gave out, the Scarecrow took
up the tale himself, and as they all realized how nearly they had
lost their jolly comrade, many of the party shed real tears. Indeed,
Nick Chopper hugged the Scarecrow till there was not a whole straw in
his body.

"Never leave us again," begged Ozma, and the Scarecrow, crossing Nick
Chopper's heart (he had none of his own), promised that he never
would.

And what a welcome they gave Sir Hokus, the Doubtful Dromedary and
the Comfortable Camel! Only Professor Wogglebug seemed disturbed.
During the strange recital, he had grown quieter and quieter and
finally, with an embarrassed cough, had excused himself and hurried
into the palace.

He went directly to the study, and seating himself at a desk opened a
large book, none other than _The Royal Book of Oz_. Dipping an emerald
pen in the ink, he began a new chapter headed thus:

HIS IMPERIAL MAJESTY, THE SCARECROW

Late Emperor and Imperial Sovereign of
Silver Island

Then, flipping over several pages to a chapter headed "Princess
Dorothy!", he wrote carefully at the end, "Dorothy, Princess and
Royal Discoverer of Oz."

Meanwhile, below stairs, the Scarecrow was distributing his gifts.
There were silver chains for everyone in the palace and shining
silver slippers for Ozma, Betsy Bobbin, Trot and Dorothy, and a
bottle of silver polish for Nick Chopper.

Dorothy presented Ozma with the magic fan and parasol, and they