"We have no captives.

No strangers but yourselves are here, and we have never before heard of the Royal Ozma." "She rules over all of Oz," said Dorothy, "and so she rules your city and you, because you are in the Winkie Country, which is a part of the Land of Oz." "It may be," returned the High Coco-Lorum, "for we do not study geography and have never inquired whether we live in the Land of Oz or not.

And any Ruler who rules us from a distance and unknown to us is welcome to the job.

But what has happened to your Royal Ozma ?" "Someone has stolen her," said the Wizard.

"Do you happen to have any talented magician among your people, one who is especially clever, you know ?" "No, none especially clever.