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20. The Unhappy Fate of the Demon

Again the atmosphere quickened and pulsed with accumulating

vibrations. Again the boy found himself aroused to eager expectancy.

There was a whirl in the air; a crackling like distant musketry; a flash of

dazzling light--and the Demon stood before him for the third time.

I give you greetings!" said he, in a voice not unkindly.

Good afternoon, Mr. Demon," answered the boy, bowing gravely.

I see you have returned safely from your trip," continued the Apparition,

cheerfully, "although at one time I thought you would be unable to

escape. Indeed, unless I had knocked that tube from the rascally Turk's

hand as he clambered to the top of the wall, I believe you would have

been at the Yarkand oasis yet--either dead or alive, as chance might

determine."

Were you there?" asked Rob.

To be sure. And I recovered the tube for you, without which you would

have been helpless. But that is the only time I saw fit to interfere in any

way."

I'm afraid I did not get a chance to give many hints to inventors or

scientists," said Rob.

True, and I have deeply regretted it," replied the Demon. "But your

unusual powers caused more astonishment and consternation than you,

perhaps, imagined; for many saw you whom you were too busy to notice.

As a result several able electricians are now thinking new thoughts along

new lines, and some of them may soon give these or similar inventions to

the world."

You are satisfied, then?" asked Rob.

As to that," returned the Demon, composedly, "I am not. But I have

hopes that with the addition of the three marvelous devices I shall

present you with to-day you will succeed in arousing so much popular

interest in electrical inventions as to render me wholly satisfied with the

result of this experiment."

The Master Key