"Stop!" cried Rob. "It is useless for you to describe it, because I'llhave nothing more to do with you or your inventions. I have given thema fair trial, and they've got me into all sorts of trouble and madeall my friends miserable. If I was some high-up scientist it would bedifferent; but I'm just a common boy, and I don't want to be anythingelse."
"But, your duty--" began the Demon.
"My duty I owe to myself and to my family," interrupted Rob. "I havenever cultivated science, more than to fool with some simple electricalexperiments, so I owe nothing to either science or the Demon ofElectricity, so far as I can see."
"But consider," remonstrated the Demon, rising to his feet and speakingin a pleading voice, "consider the years that must elapse before anyone else is likely to strike the Master Key! And, in the meanwhile,consider my helpless position, cut off from all interest in the worldwhile I have such wonderful inventions on my hands for the benefit ofmankind. If you have no love for science or for the advancement ofcivilization, _do_ have some consideration for your fellow-creatures,and for me!"
"If my fellow-creatures would have as much trouble with your electricalinventions as I had, I am doing them a service by depriving them ofyour devices," said the boy. "As for yourself, I've no fault to findwith you, personally. You're a very decent sort of Demon, and I've nodoubt you mean well; but there's something wrong about our presentcombination, I'm sure. It isn't natural."
The Demon made a gesture of despair.
"Why, oh why did not some intelligent person strike the Master Key!" hemoaned.
"That's it!" exclaimed Rob. "I believe that's the root of the wholeevil."
"What is?" inquired the Demon, stupidly.
"The fact that an intelligent person did not strike the Master Key.You don't seem to understand. Well, I'll explain. You're the Demon ofElectricity, aren't you?"
"I am," said the other, drawing himself up proudly.
"Your mission is to obey the commands of whoever is able to strike theMaster Key of Electricity."
"That is true."
"I once read in a book that all things are regulated by exact laws ofnature. If that is so you probably owe your existence to those laws."The Demon nodded. "Doubtless it was intended that when mankind becameintelligent enough and advanced enough to strike the Master Key, youand all your devices would not only be necessary and acceptable tothem, but the world would be prepared for their general use. That seemsreasonable, doesn't it?"
"Perhaps so. Yes; it seems reasonable," answered the Demon,thoughtfully.
"Accidents are always liable to happen," continued the boy. "Byaccident the Master Key was struck long before the world of sciencewas ready for it--or for you. Instead of considering it an accidentand paying no attention to it you immediately appeared to me--a mereboy--and offered your services."
"I was very anxious to do something," returned the Demon, evasively."You've no idea how stupid it is for me to live invisible and unknown,while all the time I have in my possession secrets of untold benefit tothe world."
"Well, you'll have to keep cool and bide your time," said Rob. "Theworld wasn't made in a minute, and while civilization is going on at apretty good pace, we're not up to the Demon of Electricity yet."
"What shall I do!" groaned the Apparition, wringing his handsmiserably; "oh, what shall I do!"
"Go home and lie down," replied Rob, sympathetically. "Take it easy anddon't get rattled. Nothing was ever created without a use, they say; soyour turn will come some day, sure! I'm sorry for you, old fellow, butit's all your own fault."
"You are right!" exclaimed the Demon, striding up and down the room,and causing thereby such a crackling of electricity in the air thatRob's hair became rigid enough to stand on end. "You are right, andI must wait--wait--wait--patiently and silently--until my bonds areloosed by intelligence rather than chance! It is a dreary fate. But Imust wait--I must wait--I must wait!"
"I'm glad you've come to your senses," remarked Rob, drily. "So, ifyou've nothing more to say--"
"No! I have nothing more to say. There _is_ nothing more to say. Youand I are two. We should never have met!" retorted the Demon, showinggreat excitement.
"Oh, I didn't seek your acquaintance," said Rob. "But I've tried totreat you decently, and I've no fault to find with you except that youforgot you were a slave and tried to be a master."
The Demon did not reply. He was busily forcing the various electricaldevices that Rob had relinquished into the pockets of his fiery jacket.
Finally he turned with an abrupt movement.
"Good-by!" he cried. "When mortal eyes next behold me they willbe those of one fit to command my services! As for you, your dayswill be passed in obscurity and your name be unknown to fame.Good-by,--forever!"
The room filled with a flash of white light so like a sheet oflightning that the boy went reeling backwards, half stunned and blindedby its dazzling intensity.
When he recovered himself the Demon of Electricity had disappeared.
* * * * *
Rob's heart was very light as he left the workshop and made his waydown the attic stairs.
"Some people might think I was a fool to give up those electricalinventions," he reflected; "but I'm one of those persons who know whenthey've had enough. It strikes me the fool is the fellow who can'tlearn a lesson. I've learned mine, all right. It's no fun being acentury ahead of the times!"
TRANSCRIBER'S NOTE:
Obvious printer errors have been corrected. Otherwise, the author'soriginal spelling, punctuation and hyphenation have been left intact.
The Master Key Page 12