perdink is journeying toward the Emerald City."
"Why did you want to see Ozma?" asked Glinda, anxiously. Perhaps these two strangers could throw some light on the mysterious disappearance of th€ Royal Palace.
"Our country was threatened with disappearance and I thought—"
"He thought Ozma might help us," finished the Elegant Elephant breathlessly. He did not believe in telling strange Sorceresses about everything. Now if Glinda had not been so occupied with the disappearance of the palace and all the dearest people in Oz, she might have been more curious about the disappearance of Pumperdink. As it was she just shook her head sadly. "I'm afraid Ozma cannot help you," she said, "for Ozma herself has disappeared—Ozma and everyone in the palace."
"Disappeared!" trumpeted the Elegant Elephant, sitting down with a thud. "Great Grump! The thing's getting to be a habit!"
What was to become of Pompa now? Would he never be King, nor he, Kabumpo, ever be known as the most Elegant Elephant in Oz? Had they made the long journey in vain?
"Where? When?" gasped Prince Pompadore.
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