They all approached the Magic Picture, and Dorothy wished it to show the enchanted form of Ugu the Shoemaker, wherever it might be. At once there appeared in the frame of the Picture a scene in the far Quadling Country, where the Dove was perched disconsolately on the limb of a tree and the jeweled dishpan lay on the ground just underneath the limb.

“But where is the place—how far or how near?” asked Cayke anxiously.

“The Book of Records will tell us that,” answered the Wizard. So they looked in the Great Book and read the following:

“Ugu the Magician, being transformed into a dove by Princess Dorothy of Oz, has used the magic of the golden dishpan to carry him instantly to the northeast corner of the Quadling Country.”

“That’s all right,” said Dorothy. “Don’t worry, Cayke, for the Scarecrow and the Tin Woodman are in that part of the country, looking for Ozma, and they’ll surely find your dishpan.”

“Good gracious!” exclaimed Button-Bright, “we’ve forgot all about Ozma. Let’s find out where the magician hid her.”

Back to the Magic Picture they trooped, but when they wished to see Ozma, wherever she might be hidden, only a round black spot appeared in the center of the canvas.

“I don’t see how that can be Ozma!” said Dorothy, much puzzled.

“It seems to be the best the Magic Picture can do, however,” said the Wizard, no less surprised. “If it’s an enchantment, it looks as if the magician had transformed Ozma into a chunk of pitch.”

Chapter 24

The Little Pink Bear Speaks Truly

For several minutes they all stood staring at the black spot on the canvas of the Magic Picture, wondering what it could mean.

“P’r’aps we’d better ask the little Pink Bear about Ozma,” suggested Trot.

“Pshaw!” said Button-Bright, “he don’t know anything.”

“He never makes a mistake,” declared the King.

“He did once, surely,” said Betsy. “But perhaps he wouldn’t make a mistake again.”

“He won’t have the chance,” grumbled the Bear King.

“We might hear what he has to say,” said Dorothy. “It won’t do any harm to ask the Pink Bear where Ozma is.”

“I will not have him questioned,” declared the King, in a surly voice. “I do not intend to allow my little Pink Bear to be again insulted by your foolish doubts. He never makes a mistake.”

“Didn’t he say Ozma was in that hole in the ground?” asked Betsy.

“He did; and I am certain she was there,” replied the Lavender Bear.