Page:Kabumpo in Oz.djvu/309

"Oh!" groaned Kabumpo. "Why didn't I let you look in the mirror before? No wonder you kept remembering things."

"But why did Glegg send the threatening scroll to Pumperdink three years after he'd enchanted Peg?" asked Wag, scratching his head.

"Because!" shrilled a piercing voice, and in through the window bounded a perfectly dreadful old man. It was Glegg himself!

"Because!" screeched the wicked magician, advancing toward the little party with crooked finger, "when that meddling old sailor touched Peg with his knife I lost all power over her; because my Question Box told me that Pompadore of Pumperdink could bring about her disenchantment and he has. I made it interesting for you, didn't I? There isn't another magician in Oz can put scrolls up in cakes and roasts like I can nor mix magic like mine. Ha! Ha!" Glegg threw back his head and rocked with enjoyment. "You have had all the trouble and I shall have all the reward!"

Everyone was so stunned by this terrible interruption that no one made a move as Glegg sprang toward Peg Amy. But before he had reached the Princess there was a queer sulphurous explosion and the ma-