"That was better than fighting," said Ozma, when all our friends wereassembled in the palace after the exciting events of the morning; andeach and every one agreed with her.

"No one was hurt," said the Wizard, delightedly.

"And no one hurt us," added Aunt Em.

"But, best of all," said Dorothy, "the wicked people have allforgotten their wickedness, and will not wish to hurt any oneafter this."

"True, Princess," declared the Shaggy Man. "It seems to me that tohave reformed all those evil characters is more important than to havesaved Oz."

"Nevertheless," remarked the Scarecrow, "I am glad Oz is saved. I cannow go back to my new mansion and live happily."

"And I am glad and grateful that my pumpkin farm is saved," said Jack.

"For my part," added the Tin Woodman, "I cannot express my joy that mylovely tin castle is not to be demolished by wicked enemies."

"Still," said Tiktok, "o-ther en-e-mies may come to Oz some day."

"Why do you allow your clock-work brains to interrupt our joy?" askedOmby Amby, frowning at the machine man.

"I say what I am wound up to say," answered Tiktok.

"And you are right," declared Ozma. "I myself have been thinking ofthis very idea, and it seems to me there are entirely too many waysfor people to get to the Land of Oz. We used to think the deadlydesert that surrounds us was enough protection; but that is no longerthe case. The Wizard and Dorothy have both come here through the air,and I am told the earth people have invented airships that can flyanywhere they wish them to go."

"Why, sometimes they do, and sometimes they don't," asserted Dorothy.

"But in time the airships may cause us trouble," continued Ozma,"for if the earth folk learn how to manage them we would be overrunwith visitors who would ruin our lovely, secluded fairyland."

"That is true enough," agreed the Wizard.

"Also the desert fails to protect us in other ways," Ozma went on,thoughtfully. "Johnny Dooit once made a sand-boat that sailed acrossit, and the Nome King made a tunnel under it. So I believe somethingought to be done to cut us off from the rest of the world entirely,so that no one in the future will ever be able to intrude upon us."

"How will you do that?" asked the Scarecrow.

"I do not know; but in some way I am sure it can be accomplished.To-morrow I will make a journey to the castle of Glinda the Good,and ask her advice."

"May I go with you?" asked Dorothy, eagerly.

"Of course, my dear Princess; and I also invite any of our friendshere who would like to undertake the journey."

They all declared they wished to accompany their girl Ruler, for thiswas indeed an important mission, since the future of the Land of Oz toa great extent depended upon it. So Ozma gave orders to her servantsto prepare for the journey on the morrow.

That day she watched her Magic Picture, and when it showed her thatall the Nomes had returned through the tunnel to their undergroundcaverns, Ozma used the Magic Belt to close up the tunnel, so that theearth underneath the desert sands became as solid as it was before theNomes began to dig.

Early the following morning a gay cavalcade set out to visit thefamous Sorceress, Glinda the Good. Ozma and Dorothy rode in a chariotdrawn by the Cowardly Lion and the Hungry Tiger, while the Sawhorsedrew the red wagon in which rode the rest of the party.

With hearts light and free from care they traveled merrily alongthrough the lovely and fascinating Land of Oz, and in good seasonreached the stately castle in which resided the Sorceress.

Glinda knew that they were coming.

"I have been reading about you in my Magic Book," she said,as she greeted them in her gracious way.

"What is your Magic Book like?" inquired Aunt Em, curiously.

"It is a record of everything that happens," replied the Sorceress."As soon as an event takes place, anywhere in the world, it isimmediately found printed in my Magic Book. So when I read its pagesI am well informed."

"Did it tell you how our enemies drank the Water of 'Blivion?"asked Dorothy.

"Yes, my dear; it told all about it. And also it told me you wereall coming to my castle, and why."

"Then," said Ozma, "I suppose you know what is in my mind, and thatI am seeking a way to prevent any one in the future from discoveringthe Land of Oz."

"Yes; I know that. And while you were on your journey I have thoughtof a way to accomplish your desire. For it seems to me unwise toallow too many outside people to come here. Dorothy, with her uncleand aunt, has now returned to Oz to live always, and there is noreason why we should leave any way open for others to travel uninvitedto our fairyland. Let us make it impossible for any one ever tocommunicate with us in any way, after this. Then we may livepeacefully and contentedly."

"Your advice is wise," returned Ozma. "I thank you, Glinda, for yourpromise to assist me."

"But how can you do it?" asked Dorothy. "How can you keep every onefrom ever finding Oz?"

"By making our country invisible to all eyes but our own," replied theSorceress, smiling. "I have a magic charm powerful enough toaccomplish that wonderful feat, and now that we have been warned ofour danger by the Nome King's invasion, I believe we must not hesitateto separate ourselves forever from all the rest of the world."

"I agree with you," said the Ruler of Oz.

"Won't it make any difference to us?" asked Dorothy, doubtfully.

"No, my dear," Glinda answered, assuringly. "We shall still be ableto see each other and everything in the Land of Oz. It won't affectus at all; but those who fly through the air over our country willlook down and see nothing at all. Those who come to the edge of thedesert, or try to cross it, will catch no glimpse of Oz, or know inwhat direction it lies. No one will try to tunnel to us again becausewe cannot be seen and therefore cannot be found. In other words, theLand of Oz will entirely disappear from the knowledge of the rest ofthe world."

"That's all right," said Dorothy, cheerfully. "You may make Ozinvis'ble as soon as you please, for all I care."

"It is already invisible," Glinda stated. "I knew Ozma's wishes,and performed the Magic Spell before you arrived."

Ozma seized the hand of the Sorceress and pressed it gratefully.

"Thank you!" she said.