her voice to a whisper. "He is more powerful than all the rest of
us together. He lives in the City of Emeralds."

Dorothy was going to ask another question, but just then the
Munchkins, who had been standing silently by, gave a loud shout and
pointed to the corner of the house where the Wicked Witch had been lying.

"What is it?" asked the little old woman, and looked, and
began to laugh. The feet of the dead Witch had disappeared
entirely, and nothing was left but the silver shoes.

"She was so old," explained the Witch of the North, "that she
dried up quickly in the sun. That is the end of her. But the
silver shoes are yours, and you shall have them to wear."
She reached down and picked up the shoes, and after shaking
the dust out of them handed them to Dorothy.

"The Witch of the East was proud of those silver shoes," said
one of the Munchkins, "and there is some charm connected with them;
but what it is we never knew."

Dorothy carried the shoes into the house and placed them on
the table. Then she came out again to the Munchkins and said:

"I am anxious to get back to my aunt and uncle, for I am sure
they will worry about me. Can you help me find my way?"

The Munchkins and the Witch first looked at one another, and
then at Dorothy, and then shook their heads.