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her castle there was none more marvelous than her Great
Book of Records。 On the pages of this Record Book were
constantly being inscribed day by day and hour by
hour all the important events that happened anywhere
in the known world； and they were inscribed in the book
at exactly the moment the events happened。 Every
adventure in the Land of Oz and in the big outside
world； and even in places that you and I have never
heard of； were recorded accurately in the Great Book；
which never made a mistake and stated only the exact
truth。 For that reason nothing could be concealed from
Glinda the Good； who had only to look at the pages of
the Great Book of Records to know everything that had
taken place。 That was one reason she was such a great
Sorceress； for the records made her wiser than any
other living person。
This wonderful book was placed upon a big gold table
that stood in the middle of Glinda's drawing…room。 The
legs of the table； which were encrusted with precious
gems； were firmly fastened to the tiled floor and the
book itself was chained to the table and locked with
six stout golden padlocks； the keys to which Glinda
carried on a chain that was secured around her own
neck。
The pages of the Great Book were larger in size than
those of an American newspaper and although they were
exceedingly thin there were so many of them that they
made an enormous； bulky volume。 With its gold cover and
gold clasps the book was so heavy that three men could
scarcely have lifted it。 Yet this morning； when Glinda
entered her drawing…room after breakfast； with all her
maidens trailing after her； the good Sorceress was
amazed to discover that her Great Book of Records had
mysteriously disappeared。
Advancing to the table； she found the chains had been
cut with some sharp instrument； and this must have been
done while all in the castle slept。 Glinda was shocked
and grieved。 Who could have done this wicked； bold
thing？ And who could wish to deprive her of her Great
Book of Records？
The Sorceress was thoughtful for a time； considering
the consequences of her loss。 Then she went to her Room
of Magic to prepare a charm that would tell her who had
stolen the Record Book。 But； when she unlocked her
cupboards and threw open the doors； all of her magical
instruments and rare chemical compounds had been
removed from the shelves。
The Sorceress was now both angry and alarmed。 She sat
down in a chair and tried to think how this
extraordinary robbery could have taken place。 It was
evident that the thief was some person of very great
power； or the theft could never have been accomplished
without her knowledge。 But who； in all the Land of Oz；
was powerful and skillful enough to do this awful
thing？ And who； having the power； could also have an
object in defying the wisest and most talented
Sorceress the world has ever known？
Glinda thought over the perplexing matter for a full
hour； at the end of which time she was still puzzled
how to explain it。 But although her instrument and
chemicals were gone her knowledge of magic had not been
stolen； by any means； since no thief； however skillful；
can rob one of knowledge； and that is why knowledge is
the best and safest treasure to acquire。 Glinda
believed that when she had time to gather more magical
herbs and elixirs and to manufacture more magical
instruments she would be able to discover who the
robber was； and what had become of her precious Book of
Records。
〃Whoever has done this；〃 she said to her maidens； 〃is
a very foolish person； for in time he is sure to be
found out and will then be severely punished。〃
She now made a list of the things she needed and
dispatched messengers to every part of Oz with
instructions to obtain them and bring them to her as
soon as possible。 And one of her messengers met the
little Wizard of Oz； who was mounted on the back of the
famous live Sawhorse and was clinging to its neck with
both his arms； for the Sawhorse was speeding to
Glinda's castle with the velocity of the wind； bearing
the news that Royal Ozma； Ruler of all the great Land
of Oz； had suddenly disappeared and no one in the
Emerald City knew what had become of her。
〃Also；〃 said the Wizard； as he stood before the
astonished Sorceress； 〃Ozma's Magic Picture is gone； so
we cannot consult it to discover where she is。 So I
came to you for assistance as soon as we realized our
loss。 Let us look in the Great Book of Records。〃
〃Alas；〃 returned the Sorceress sorrowfully； 〃we
cannot do that； for the Great Book of Records has also
disappeared！〃
Chapter Three
Robbery of Cayke the Cookie Cook
One more important theft was reported in the Land of Oz
that eventful morning； but it took place so far from
either the Emerald City or the castle of Glinda the
Good that none of those persons we have mentioned
learned of the robbery until long afterward。
In the far southwestern corner of the Winkie Country
is a broad tableland that can be reached only by
climbing a steep hill； whichever side one approaches
it。 On the hillside surrounding this tableland are no
paths at all； but there are quantities of bramble…
bushes with sharp prickers on them； which prevent any
of the Oz people who live down below from climbing up
to see what is on top。 But on top live the Yips； and
although the space they occupy is not great in extent
the wee country is all their own。 The Yips had never
up to the time this story begins left their broad
tableland to go down into the Land of Oz； nor had the
Oz people ever climbed up to the country of the Yips。
Living all alone as they did； the Yips had queer ways
and notions of their own and did not resemble any other
people of the Land of Oz。 Their houses were scattered
all over the flat surface； not like a city； grouped
together； but set wherever their owners' fancy
dictated； with fields here； trees there； and odd little
paths connecting the houses one with another。
It was here； on the morning when Ozma so strangely
disappeared from the Emerald City； that Cayke the
Cookie Cook discovered that her diamond…studded gold
dishpan had been stolen； and she raised such a hue…and…
cry over her loss and wailed and shrieked so loudly
that many of the Yips gathered around her house to
inquire what was the matter。