order."

"Can-not I march without fall-ing in-to it?"
asked the Clockwork Man.

"Shoulder your gun and stand ready to march,"
advised Files; so Tik-Tok held the gun straight
and stood still.

"What next?" he asked.

The Queen turned to Shaggy.

"Which road leads to the Metal Monarch's
cavern?"

"We don't know, Your Majesty," was the reply.

"But this is absurd!" said Ann with a frown.
"If we can't get to Ruggedo, it is certain that we
can't conquer him."

"You are right," admitted Shaggy; "but I did
not say we could not get to him. We have only
to discover the way, and that was the matter we
were considering when you and your magnificent
Army arrived here."

"Well, then, get busy and discover it," snapped
the Queen.