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Rob yawned, for he thought the Demon's speeches were growing rather

tiresome. Perhaps the genius noticed this rudeness, for he continued:

I regret, of course, that you are a boy instead of a grown man, for it will

appear singular to your friends that so thoughtless a youth should

seemingly have mastered the secrets that have baffled your most learned

scientists. But that can not be helped, and presently you will become,

through my aid, the most powerful and wonderful personage in all the

world."

Thank you," said Rob, meekly. "It'll be no end of fun."

Fun!" echoed the Demon, scornfully. "But never mind; I must use the

material Fate has provided for me, and make the best of it."

What will you give me first?" asked the boy, eagerly.

That requires some thought," returned the Demon, and paused for

several moments, while Rob feasted his eyes upon the gorgeous rays of

color that flashed and vibrated in every direction and surrounded the

figure of his visitor with an intense glow that resembled a halo.

Then the Demon raised his head and said:

The thing most necessary to man is food to nourish his body. He passes

a considerable part of his life in the struggle to procure food, to prepare it

properly, and in the act of eating. This is not right. Your body can not be

very valuable to you if all your time is required to feed it. I shall,

therefore, present you, as my first gift, this box of tablets. Within each

tablet are stored certain elements of electricity which are capable of

nourishing a human body for a full day. All you need do is to toss one

into your mouth each day and swallow it. It will nourish you, satisfy

your hunger and build up your health and strength. The ordinary food

of mankind is more or less injurious; this is entirely beneficial.

Moreover, you may carry enough tablets in your pocket to last for

months."

Here he presented Rob the silver box of tablets, and the boy, somewhat

nervously, thanked him for the gift.

The next requirement of man," continued the Demon, "is defense from

his enemies. I notice with sorrow that men frequently have wars and kill

one another. Also, even in civilized communities, man is in constant

The Master Key