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Shaggy Man of Oz (version 2)

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<h2>CHAPTER 23 Twiffle Says Goodbye</h2> Conjo wandered from the doorway of the tower toward the Wizard and his friends. "Do you know who I am?" he asked the Wizard amiably. Then the fat little man saw the young beavers. He immediately seated himself on the floor and called to the animals to play with him. "I think his Majesty, the King of the Fairy Beavers, can explain what has happened to Conjo," said the Wizard. "It is very simple," replied the beaver King. "As I have told you, I am fairly proficient in water magic. So, when I saw that Conjo could not be talked out of his mischievousness and that he meant further trouble, I directed a stream of water through my Fairy Wand toward Conjo. The water came from Ozma's Fountain of Oblivion." <hr class="chap" /> <div class="figcenter"> <ANTIMG src="images/illus95.jpg" width-obs="650" height-obs="341" alt=""/></div> <hr class="chap" /> "Then Conjo has forgotten all his bad ways and all his magic powers?" asked Dorothy. "Yes," replied the beaver King. "He is now as harmless as a child. The water of the Fountain of Oblivion is truly wonderful. With Ozma's gracious permission I shall take a quantity of it back to my kingdom with me when I return." "You have the permission now, your Majesty," said a girlish voice. All eyes turned to the throne from which the voice came. There sat Ozma, regarding them with a quiet smile. "I returned only a moment ago," Ozma said. "Just in time to see the outcome of Conjo's ambitious schemes and to grant the request of our good friend the King of the Fairy Beavers. I am sure he will use the water from the Fountain of Oblivion wisely and well." "Then you know all about our adventures?" asked the Shaggy Man. "Yes," replied Ozma. "Glinda and I finished our tasks on which we have been working steadily, and only a few minutes ago we hurried to open Glinda's Great Book of Records and brought ourselves up to date on what has happened to you, Shaggy and your friends, as well as the events transpiring here in the Emerald City during my absence. Now that we are together I am happy to greet all my friends old and new," Ozma concluded, smiling at Twink and Tom. The Wizard stepped to the side of Conjo, who was still seated on the throne room floor prattling to the beavers. He reached down and unfastened from Conjo's wrist Ozma's Magic Compass. The Girl Ruler received the magic instrument gravely, her eyes upon Conjo. "I wonder," she said, "what we should do with him. He is quite harmless now, but we don't want him to learn his old, bad ways again." Here Twiffle stepped forward. "Your Highness," the little clown began, "if I may make a suggestion. I have known Conjo longer than anyone else here. He is not really a bad man. His threats are worse than his deeds. Most of the time he is quite jovial and pleasant. He loves his magic and his wizardry and wants to show off. Now that he has a chance to begin all over again, if he learned everything again except vanity and if he had the right guide, I believe it is possible that he might become a good wizard." "And you want to be that guide," said Ozma smiling kindly at Twiffle. "What do you think, Wizard?" "I believe Twiffle is right," said the Wizard. "Conjo needs someone to help him now, and Twiffle seems the person to do it." "I am very fond of my old home on the island and I would like to help Conjo," said Twiffle simply. "For my part, Twiffle is a brick," put in the Shaggy Man heartily. "Then it is decided," replied Ozma. "I will use the Magic Belt to send Conjo and Twiffle back to the Isle of Conjo. There, Twiffle will help Conjo to become a thoroughly good wizard. Here, Twiffle," Ozma removed a small golden ring from her finger and handed it to Twiffle. "Keep this ring with you always. Should Conjo ever again cause any mischief, or should you need my help, just rub this ring and you will be transported immediately to wherever I may be." "Thank you, your Majesty," said Twiffle, looking at Ozma gratefully. Twiffle then bade a fond farewell to Twink and Tom, the Shaggy Man, the King of the Fairy Beavers, and all his other new friends. When he had finished, Ozma placed her hands on the Magic Belt and murmured a command. <hr class="chap" /> <div class="figcenter"> <ANTIMG src="images/illus96.jpg" width-obs="251" height-obs="350" alt=""/></div> <hr class="chap" /> Twink and Tom looked about the throne room. Conjo and Twiffle were nowhere to be seen. The children knew they would miss the little toy clown. But perhaps he would come to their home sometimes to visit his third cousin, Twoffle. <hr class="chap" /> <div class="figcenter"> <ANTIMG src="images/illus97.jpg" width-obs="525" height-obs="350" alt=""/></div> <div style="break-after:column;"></div>

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