Now, here is a machine I have myself perfected The Demon drew from his
pocket something that resembled an open-faced watch, having a narrow,
flexible band attached to it.
When you wish to travel, said he, attach this little machine to your left
wrist by means of the band.
It is very light and will not be in your way On this dial are points marked
'up' and 'down' as well as a perfect compass, When you desire to rise into
the air set the indicator to the word 'up,' using a finger of your right
hand to turn it.
When you have risen as high as you wish, set the indicator to the point of
the compass you want to follow and you will be carried by the proper
electric force in that direction.
To descend, set the indicator to the word 'down.
' Do you understand? Perfectly! cried Rob, taking the machine from the
Demon with unfeigned delight, This is really wonderful, and I'm awfully
obliged to you! Don't mention it, returned the Demon, dryly.
These three gifts you may amuse yourself with for the next week.
It seems hard to entrust such great scientific discoveries to the
discretion of a mere boy; but they are quite harmless, so if you exercise
proper care you can not get into trouble through their possession And who
knows what benefits to humanity may result? One week from to-day, at this
hour, I will again appear to you, at which time you shall receive the second
series of electrical gifts.
I'm not sure, said Rob, that I shall be able again to make the connections
that will strike the Master Key, Probably not, answered the Demon.
Could you accomplish that, you might command my services forever.
But, having once succeeded, you are entitled to the nine gifts--three each
week for three weeks--so you have no need to call me to do my duty.
I shall appear of my own accord, Thank you, murmured the boy The Demon
bowed and spread his hands in the form of a semi-circle.
An instant later there was a blinding flash, and when Rob recovered from it
and opened his eyes the Demon of Electricity had disappeared, 4.
Testing the Instruments There is little doubt that this strange experience
befallen a grown man he would have been stricken with a fit of trembling or
a sense of apprehension, or even fear, at the thought of having faced the
terrible Demon of Electricity, of having struck the Master Key of the
world's greatest natural forces, and finding himself possessed of three such
wonderful and useful gifts.
But a boy takes everything as a matter of course.
As the tree of knowledge sprouts and expands within him, shooting out leaf
after leaf of practical experience, the succession of surprises dulls his
faculty of wonderment, It takes a great deal to startle a boy Rob was full
of delight at his unexpected good fortune; but he did not stop to consider
that there was anything remarkably queer or uncanny in the manner in which
it had come to him.
Received on Wed Nov 01 2006 - 16:34:17 EST