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4. Testing the Instruments

There is little doubt that this strange experience befallen a grown man he

would have been stricken with a fit of trembling or a sense of

apprehension, or even fear, at the thought of having faced the terrible

Demon of Electricity, of having struck the Master Key of the world's

greatest natural forces, and finding himself possessed of three such

wonderful and useful gifts. But a boy takes everything as a matter of

course. As the tree of knowledge sprouts and expands within him,

shooting out leaf after leaf of practical experience, the succession of

surprises dulls his faculty of wonderment. It takes a great deal to startle

a boy.

Rob was full of delight at his unexpected good fortune; but he did not

stop to consider that there was anything remarkably queer or uncanny in

the manner in which it had come to him. His chief sensation was one of

pride. He would now be able to surprise those who had made fun of his

electrical craze and force them to respect his marvelous powers. He

decided to say nothing about the Demon or the accidental striking of the

Master Key. In exhibiting to his friends the electrical devices he had

acquired it would be "no end of fun" to mark their amazement and leave

them to guess how he performed his feats.

So he put his treasures into his pocket, locked his workshop and went

downstairs to his room to prepare for dinner.

While brushing his hair he remembered it was no longer necessary for

him to eat ordinary food. He was feeling quite hungry at that moment,

for he had a boy's ravenous appetite; but, taking the silver box from his

pocket, he swallowed a tablet and at once felt his hunger as fully

satisfied as if he had partaken of a hearty meal, while at the same time

he experienced an exhilarating glow throughout his body and a clearness

of brain and gaiety of spirits which filled him with intense gratification.

Still, he entered the dining-room when the bell rang and found his father

and mother and sisters already assembled there.

Where have you been all day, Robert?" inquired his mother.

No need to ask," said Mr. Joslyn, with a laugh. "Fussing over electricity,

I'll bet a cookie!"

The Master Key