The Master Key

by L. Frank Baum

  The people in the outer room stared at him wonderingly and the officerof the guard saluted the boy respectfully. But Rob only smiled in anamused way as he marched past them with his hands thrust deep into histrousers' pockets and his straw hat tipped jauntily upon the back ofhis head.

  _CHAPTER ELEVEN_

  THE MAN OF SCIENCE

  Rob passed the remainder of the day wandering about London and amusinghimself by watching the peculiar ways of the people. When it became sodark that there was no danger of his being observed, he rose throughthe air to the narrow slit in the church tower and lay upon the floorof the little room, with the bells hanging all around him, to pass thenight.

  He was just falling asleep when a tremendous din and clatter nearlydeafened him, and set the whole tower trembling. It was the midnightchime.

  Rob clutched his ears tightly, and when the vibrations had died awaydescended by the ladder to a lower platform. But even here the nexthourly chime made his ears ring, and he kept descending from platformto platform until the last half of a restless night was passed in thelittle room at the bottom of the tower.

  When, at daylight, the boy sat up and rubbed his eyes, he said,wearily: "Churches are all right as churches; but as hotels they arerank failures. I ought to have bunked in with my friend, King Edward."

  He climbed up the stairs and the ladders again and looked out thelittle window in the belfry. Then he examined his map of Europe.

  "I believe I'll take a run over to Paris," he thought. "I must be homeagain by Saturday, to meet the Demon, so I'll have to make every daycount."

  Without waiting for breakfast, since he had eaten a tablet the eveningbefore, he crept through the window and mounted into the fresh morningair until the great city with its broad waterway lay spread out beneathhim. Then he sped away to the southeast and, crossing the channel,passed between Amiens and Rouen and reached Paris before ten o'clock.

  Near the outskirts of the city appeared a high tower, upon the flatroof of which a man was engaged in adjusting a telescope. Upon seeingRob, who was passing at no great distance from this tower, the mancried out:

  "_Approchez!--Venez ici!_"

  Then he waved his hands frantically in the air, and fairly danced withexcitement. So the boy laughed and dropped down to the roof where,standing beside the Frenchman, whose eyes were actually protruding fromtheir sockets, he asked, coolly:

  "Well, what do you want?"

  The other was for a moment speechless. He was a tall, lean man,having a bald head but a thick, iron-gray beard, and his black eyessparkled brightly from behind a pair of gold-rimmed spectacles. Afterattentively regarding the boy for a time he said, in broken English:

  "But, M'sieur, how can you fly wizout ze--ze machine? I have experimentmyself wiz some air-ship; but you--zere is nossing to make go!"

  The eyes of the Frenchman were actually protruding fromtheir sockets]

  Rob guessed that here was his opportunity to do the Demon a favor byexplaining his electrical devices to this new acquaintance, who wasevidently a man of science.

  "Here is the secret, Professor," he said, and holding out his wristdisplayed the traveling machine and explained, as well as he could, theforces that operated it.

  The Frenchman, as you may suppose, was greatly astonished, and to showhow perfectly the machine worked Rob turned the indicator and rose ashort distance above the tower, circling around it before he rejoinedthe professor on the roof. Then he showed his food tablets, explaininghow each was stored with sufficient nourishment for an entire day.

  The scientist positively gasped for breath, so powerful was theexcitement he experienced at witnessing these marvels.

  "Eet is wonderful--grand--magnifique!" he exclaimed.

  "But here is something of still greater interest," continued Rob,and taking the Automatic Record of Events from his pocket he allowedthe professor to view the remarkable scenes that were being enactedthroughout the civilized world.

  The Frenchman was now trembling violently, and he implored Rob to tellhim where he might obtain similar electrical machines.

  "I can't do that," replied the boy, decidedly; "but, having seen these,you may be able to discover their construction for yourself. Now thatyou know such things to be possible and practical, the hint shouldbe sufficient to enable a shrewd electrician to prepare duplicates ofthem."

  The scientist glared at him with evident disappointment, and Robcontinued:

  "These are not all the wonders I can exhibit. Here is anotherelectrical device that is, perhaps, the most remarkable of any Ipossess."

  He took the Character Marking spectacles from his pocket and fittedthem to his eyes. Then he gave a whistle of surprise and turned hisback upon his new friend. He had seen upon the Frenchman's forehead theletters "E" and "C."

  "Guess I've struck the wrong sort of scientist, after all!" hemuttered, in a disgusted tone.

  His companion was quick to prove the accuracy of the Character Marker.Seeing the boy's back turned, he seized a long iron bar that was usedto operate the telescope, and struck at Rob so fiercely that had henot worn the Garment of Protection his skull would have been crushedby the blow. As it was, the bar rebounded with a force that sent themurderous Frenchman sprawling upon the roof, and Rob turned around andlaughed at him.

  "It won't work, Professor," he said. "I'm proof against assassins.Perhaps you had an idea that when you had killed me you could rob me ofmy valuable possessions; but they wouldn't be a particle of use to ascoundrel like you, I assure you! Good morning."

  Before the surprised and baffled scientist could collect himselfsufficiently to reply, the boy was soaring far above his head andsearching for a convenient place to alight, that he might investigatethe charms of this famed city of Paris.

  It was indeed a beautiful place, with many stately buildings lining theshady boulevards. So thronged were the streets that Rob well knew hewould soon be the center of a curious crowd should he alight upon them.Already a few sky-gazers had noted the boy moving high in the air,above their heads, and one or two groups stood pointing their fingersat him.

  Pausing at length above the imposing structure of the Hotel Anglais,Rob noticed at one of the upper floors an open window, before whichwas a small iron balcony. Alighting upon this he proceeded to enter,without hesitation, the open window. He heard a shriek and a cry of"_Au voleur!_" and caught sight of a woman's figure as she dashed intoan adjoining room, slamming and locking the door behind her.

  "I don't know as I blame her," observed Rob, with a smile at the paniche had created. "I s'pose she takes me for a burglar, and thinks I'veclimbed up the lightning rod."

  He soon found the door leading into the hallway and walked downseveral flights of stairs until he reached the office of the hotel.

  "How much do you charge a day?" he inquired, addressing a fat andpompous-looking gentleman behind the desk.

  The man looked at him in a surprised way, for he had not heard the boyenter the room. But he said something in French to a waiter who waspassing, and the latter came to Rob and made a low bow.

  "I speak ze Eengliss ver' fine," he said. "What desire have you?"

  "What are your rates by the day?" asked the boy.

  "Ten francs, M'sieur."

  "How many dollars is that?"

  "Dollar Americaine?"

  "Yes; United States money."

  "Ah, _oui_! Eet is ze two dollar, M'sieur."

  "All right; I can stay about a day before I go bankrupt. Give me aroom."

  "_Certainement_, M'sieur. Have you ze luggage?"

  "No; but I'll pay in advance," said Rob, and began counting out hisdimes and nickles and pennies, to the unbounded amazement of thewaiter, who looked as if he had never seen such coins before.

  He carried the money to the fat gentleman, who examined the piecescuriously, and there was a long conference between them before it wasdecided to accept them in payment for a room for a day. But at thisseason the hotel was almost empty, and when Rob protested that he hadno
other money the fat gentleman put the coins into his cash box witha resigned sigh and the waiter showed the boy to a little room at thevery top of the building.

  Rob washed and brushed the dust from his clothes, after which he satdown and amused himself by viewing the pictures that constantly formedupon the polished plate of the Record of Events.

  _CHAPTER TWELVE_

  HOW ROB SAVED A REPUBLIC

  While following the shifting scenes of the fascinating Record Rob notedan occurrence that caused him to give a low whistle of astonishment anddevote several moments to serious thought.

  "I believe it's about time I interfered with the politics of thisRepublic," he said, at last, as he closed the lid of the metal box andrestored it to his pocket. "If I don't take a hand there probably won'tbe a Republic of France very long and, as a good American, I prefer arepublic to a monarchy."

  Then he walked down-stairs and found his English-speaking waiter.

  "Where's President Loubet?" he asked.

  "Ze President! Ah, he is wiz his mansion. To be at his residence,M'sieur."

  "Where is his residence?"

  The waiter began a series of voluble and explicit directions which soconfused the boy that he exclaimed:

  "Oh, much obliged!" and walked away in disgust.

  Gaining the street he approached a gendarme and repeated his question,with no better result than before, for the fellow waved his arms wildlyin all directions and roared a volley of incomprehensible Frenchphrases that conveyed no meaning whatever.

  "If ever I travel in foreign countries again," said Rob, "I'll learntheir lingo in advance. Why doesn't the Demon get up a conversationmachine that will speak all languages?"

  By dint of much inquiry, however, and after walking several milesfollowing ambiguous directions, he managed to reach the residence ofPresident Loubet. But there he was politely informed that the Presidentwas busily engaged in his garden, and would see no one.

  "That's all right," said the boy, calmly. "If he's in the garden I'llhave no trouble finding him."

  Then, to the amazement of the Frenchmen, Rob shot into the air fiftyfeet or so, from which elevation he overlooked a pretty garden in therear of the President's mansion. The place was protected from ordinaryintrusion by high walls, but Rob descended within the enclosure andwalked up to a man who was writing at a small table placed under thespreading branches of a large tree.

  "Is this President Loubet?" he inquired, with a bow.

  The gentleman looked up.

  "My servants were instructed to allow no one to disturb me," he said,speaking in excellent English.

  "It isn't their fault; I flew over the wall," returned Rob. "The factis," he added, hastily, as he noted the President's frown, "I have cometo save the Republic; and I haven't much time to waste over a bundle ofFrenchmen, either."

  The President seemed surprised.

  "Your name!" he demanded, sharply.

  "Robert Billings Joslyn, United States of America!"

  "Your business, Monsieur Joslyn!"

  Rob drew the Record from his pocket and placed it upon the table.

  "This, sir," said he, "is an electrical device that records allimportant events. I wish to call your attention to a scene enacted inParis last evening which may have an effect upon the future history ofyour country."

  He opened the lid, placed the Record so that the President could seeclearly, and then watched the changing expressions upon the great man'sface; first indifference, then interest, the next moment eagerness andamazement.

  "_Mon Dieu!_" he gasped; "the Orleanists!"

  Rob nodded.

  "Yes; they've worked up a rather pretty plot, haven't they?"

  The President did not reply. He was anxiously watching the Record andscribbling notes on a paper beside him. His face was pale and his lipstightly compressed.

  Finally he leaned back in his chair and asked:

  "Can you reproduce this scene again?"

  "Certainly, sir," answered the boy; "as often as you like."

  "Will you remain here while I send for my minister of police? It willrequire but a short time."

  "Call him up, then. I'm in something of a hurry myself, but now I'vemixed up with this thing I'll see it through."

  Rob watched the changing expressions upon the greatman's face]

  The President touched a bell and gave an order to his servant. Then heturned to Rob and said, wonderingly:

  "You are a boy!"

  "That's true, Mr. President," was the answer; "but an American boy, youmust remember. That makes a big difference, I assure you."

  The President bowed gravely.

  "This is your invention?" he asked.

  "No; I'm hardly equal to that. But the inventor has made me a presentof the Record, and it's the only one in the world."

  "It is a marvel," remarked the President, thoughtfully. "More! It is areal miracle. We are living in an age of wonders, my young friend."

  "No one knows that better than myself, sir," replied Rob. "But, tellme, can you trust your chief of police?"

  "I think so," said the President, slowly; "yet since your inventionhas shown me that many men I have considered honest are criminallyimplicated in this royalist plot, I hardly know whom to depend upon."

  "Then please wear these spectacles during your interview with theminister of police," said the boy. "You must say nothing, while he iswith us, about certain marks that will appear upon his forehead; butwhen he has gone I will explain those marks so you will understandthem."

  The President covered his eyes with the spectacles.

  "Why," he exclaimed, "I see upon your own brow the letters--"

  "Stop, sir!" interrupted Rob, with a blush; "I don't care to know whatthe letters are, if it's just the same to you."

  The President seemed puzzled by this speech, but fortunately theminister of police arrived just then and, under Rob's guidance, thepictured record of the Orleanist plot was reproduced before thestartled eyes of the official.

  "And now," said the boy, "let us see if any of this foolishness isgoing on just at present."

  He turned to the opposite side of the Record and allowed the Presidentand his minister of police to witness the quick succession of eventseven as they occurred.

  Suddenly the minister cried, "Ha!" and, pointing to the figure of a mandisembarking from an English boat at Calais, he said, excitedly:

  "That, your Excellency, is the Duke of Orleans, in disguise! I mustleave you for a time, that I may issue some necessary orders to my men;but this evening I shall call to confer with you regarding the bestmode of suppressing this terrible plot."

  When the official had departed, the President removed the spectaclesfrom his eyes and handed them to Rob.

  "What did you see?" asked the boy.

  "The letters 'G' and 'W'."

  "Then you may trust him fully," declared Rob, and explained theconstruction of the Character Marker to the interested and amazedstatesman.

  "And now I must go," he continued, "for my stay in your city will be ashort one and I want to see all I can."

  The President scrawled something on a sheet of paper and signed hisname to it, afterward presenting it, with a courteous bow, to hisvisitor.

  "This will enable you to go wherever you please, while in Paris," hesaid. "I regret my inability to reward you properly for the greatservice you have rendered my country; but you have my sincerestgratitude, and may command me in any way."

  "Oh, that's all right," answered Rob. "I thought it was my duty to warnyou, and if you look sharp you'll be able to break up this conspiracy.But I don't want any reward. Good day, sir."

  He turned the indicator of his traveling machine and immediately roseinto the air, followed by a startled exclamation from the President ofFrance.

  Moving leisurely over the city, he selected a deserted thoroughfareto alight in, from whence he wandered unobserved into the beautifulboulevards. These were now brilliantly lighted, and crowds of pleasureseekers thronged the
m everywhere. Rob experienced a decided senseof relief as he mixed with the gay populace and enjoyed the sightsof the splendid city, for it enabled him to forget, for a time, theresponsibilities thrust upon him by the possession of the Demon'smarvelous electrical devices.

  _CHAPTER THIRTEEN_

  ROB LOSES HIS TREASURES

  Our young adventurer had intended to pass the night in the littlebed at his hotel, but the atmosphere of Paris proved so hot anddisagreeable that he decided it would be more enjoyable to sleep whilejourneying through the cooler air that lay far above the earth'ssurface. So just as the clocks were striking the midnight hour Robmounted skyward and turned the indicator of the traveling machine tothe east, intending to make the city of Vienna his next stop.

  He had risen to a considerable distance, where the air was remarkablyfresh and exhilarating, and the relief he experienced from the closeand muggy streets of Paris was of such a soothing nature that hepresently fell fast asleep. His day in the metropolis had been a busyone, for, like all boys, he had forgotten himself in the delight ofsight-seeing and had tired his muscles and exhausted his strength to anunusual degree.

  It was about three o'clock in the morning when Rob, moving restlesslyin his sleep, accidently touched with his right hand the indicator ofthe machine which was fastened to his left wrist, setting it a coupleof points to the south of east. He was, of course, unaware of theslight alteration in his course, which was destined to prove of seriousimportance in the near future. For the boy's fatigue induced him tosleep far beyond daybreak, and during this period of unconsciousness hewas passing over the face of European countries and approaching thelawless and dangerous dominions of the Orient.