"That is a long journey," declared the Nome.

"I shall transform myself into a bird," said Kiki, "and so fly to
the Rose Kingdom in an hour."

"Then transform me, also, into a bird, and I will go with you,"
suggested Ruggedo. "But, in that case, let us fly together to the
Land of Oz, and see what it looks like."

Kiki thought this over. Pleasant as were the countries he had
visited, he heard everywhere that the Land of Oz was more beautiful
and delightful. The Land of Oz was his own country, too, and if there
was any possibility of his becoming its King, he must know something
about it.

While Kiki the Hyup thought, Ruggedo the Nome was also thinking.
This boy possessed a marvelous power, and although very simple in some
ways, he was determined not to part with his secret. However, if
Ruggedo could get him to transport the wily old Nome to Oz, which he
could reach in no other way, he might then induce the boy to follow
his advice and enter into the plot for revenge, which he had already
planned in his wicked heart.

"There are wizards and magicians in Oz," remarked Kiki, after a
time. "They might discover us, in spite of our transformations."

"Not if we are careful," Ruggedo assured him. "Ozma has a Magic
Picture, in which she can see whatever she wishes to see; but Ozma
will know nothing of our going to Oz, and so she will not command her