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"Well, a goose-egg you will be unless you go and fetch us the ornament
we want," declared Billina, with a joyful chuckle.

"You can see for yourself that Dorothy is able to use the magic belt all
right," added the Scarecrow.

The Nome King thought it over and finally consented, for he did not want
to be a goose-egg. So he went into the palace to get the ornament which
was the transformation of the Tin Woodman, and they all awaited his
return with considerable impatience, for they were anxious to leave this
underground cavern and see the sunshine once more. But when the Nome
King came back he brought nothing with him except a puzzled and anxious
expression upon his face.

"He's gone!" he said. "The Tin Woodman is nowhere in the palace."

"Are you sure?" asked Ozma, sternly.

"I'm very sure," answered the King, trembling, "for I know just what I
transformed him into, and exactly where he stood. But he is not there,
and please don't change me into a goose-egg, because I've done the best
I could."

They were all silent for a time, and then Dorothy said:

"There is no use punishing the Nome King any more, and I'm 'fraid we'll
have to go away without our friend."

"If he is not here, we cannot rescue him," agreed the Scarecrow, sadly.
"Poor Nick! I wonder what has become of him."

"And he owed me six weeks back pay!" said one of the generals, wiping
the tears from his eyes with his gold-laced coat sleeve.

Very sorrowfully they determined to return to the upper world without
their former companion, and so Ozma gave the order to begin the march
through the passage.

The army went first, and then the royal family of Ev, and afterward came
Dorothy, Ozma, Billina, the Scarecrow and Tiktok.

They left the Nome King scowling at them from his throne, and had no
thought of danger until Ozma chanced to look back and saw a large number
of the warriors following them in full chase, with their swords and
spears and axes raised to strike down the fugitives as soon as they drew
near enough.

Evidently the Nome King had made this last attempt to prevent their
escaping him; but it did him no good, for when Dorothy saw the danger
they were in she stopped and waved her hand and whispered a command to
the magic belt.

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Instantly the foremost warriors became eggs, which rolled upon the floor
of the cavern in such numbers that those behind could not advance
without stepping upon them. But, wh