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you have no love for science or for the advancement of civilization, DO

have some consideration for your fellow-creatures, and for me!"

If my fellow-creatures would have as much trouble with your electrical

inventions as I had, I am doing them a service by depriving them of your

devices," said the boy. "As for yourself, I've no fault to find with you,

personally. You're a very decent sort of Demon, and I've no doubt you

mean well; but there's something wrong about our present combination,

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!" he

moaned.

That's it!" exclaimed Rob. "I believe that's the root of the whole evil."

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 of

Electricity, 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 the

Master Key of Electricity."

That is true."

I once read in a book that all things are regulated by exact laws of

nature. If that is so you probably owe your existence to those laws." The

Demon nodded. "Doubtless it was intended that when mankind became

intelligent enough and advanced enough to strike the Master Key, you

and all your devices would not only be necessary and acceptable to them,

but the world would be prepared for their general use. That seems

reasonable, doesn't it?"

Perhaps so. Yes; it seems reasonable," answered the Demon,

thoughtfully.

Accidents are always liable to happen," continued the boy. "By accident

the Master Key was struck long before the world of science was ready for

it--or for you. Instead of considering it an accident and paying no

The Master Key