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however: if all armies were equipped with Electrical Tubes instead of

guns and swords the world would be spared a lot of misery and

unnecessary bloodshed. Perhaps in time; but that time hasn't arrived

yet."

You might have hastened it," said the Demon, sternly, "if you had been

wise enough to use your powers properly."

That's just it," answered Rob. "I'm NOT wise enough. Nor is the

majority of mankind wise enough to use such inventions as yours

unselfishly and for the good of the world. If people were better, and every

one had an equal show, it would be different."

For some moments the Demon sat quietly thinking. Finally the frown left

his face and he said, with animation:

I have other inventions, which you may use without any such qualms of

conscience. The Electro-Magnetic Restorer I offered you would be a great

boon to your race, and could not possibly do harm. And, besides this, I

have brought you what I call the Illimitable Communicator. It is a simple

electric device which will enable you, wherever you may be, to converse

with people in any part of the world, without the use of such crude

connections as wires. In fact, you may--"

Stop!" cried Rob. "It is useless for you to describe it, because I'll have

nothing more to do with you or your inventions. I have given them a fair

trial, and they've got me into all sorts of trouble and made all my friends

miserable. If I was some high-up scientist it would be different; but I'm

just a common boy, and I don't want to be anything else."

But, your duty--" began the Demon.

My duty I owe to myself and to my family," interrupted Rob. "I have

never cultivated science, more than to fool with some simple electrical

experiments, so I owe nothing to either science or the Demon of

Electricity, so far as I can see."

But consider," remonstrated the Demon, rising to his feet and speaking

in a pleading voice, "consider the years that must elapse before any one

else is likely to strike the Master Key! And, in the meanwhile, consider

my helpless position, cut off from all interest in the world while I have

such wonderful inventions on my hands for the benefit of mankind. If

The Master Key