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That's true, Mr.--Mr.--Demon," said the boy. "Excuse me if I don't get

your name right, but I understood you to say you are a demon."

Certainly. The Demon of Electricity."

But electricity is a good thing, you know, and--and--"

Well?"

I've always understood that demons were bad things," added Rob,

boldly.

Not necessarily," returned his visitor. "If you will take the trouble to

consult your dictionary, you will find that demons may be either good or

bad, like any other class of beings. Originally all demons were good, yet

of late years people have come to consider all demons evil. I do not know

why. Should you read Hesiod you will find he says:

'Soon was a world of holy demons made, Aerial spirits, by great Jove

designed To be on earth the guardians of mankind.'"

But Jove was himself a myth," objected Rob, who had been studying

mythology.

The Demon shrugged his shoulders.

Then take the words of Mr. Shakespeare, to whom you all defer," he

replied. "Do you not remember that he says:

'Thy demon (that's thy spirit which keeps thee) is Noble, courageous,

high, unmatchable.'"

Oh, if Shakespeare says it, that's all right," answered the boy. "But it

seems you're more like a genius, for you answer the summons of the

Master Key of Electricity in the same way Aladdin's genius answered the

rubbing of the lamp."

To be sure. A demon is also a genius; and a genius is a demon," said

the Being. "What matters a name? I am here to do your bidding."

The Master Key