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Before long he noticed a quickening in the air, as if it were suddenly

surcharged with electric fluid, and the next instant, in a dazzling flash of

light, appeared the Demon.

I am here!" he announced.

So am I," answered Rob. "But at one time I really thought I should

never see you again. I've been--"

Spare me your history," said the Demon, coldly. "I am aware of your

adventures."

Oh, you are!" said Rob, amazed. "Then you know--"

I know all about your foolish experiences," interrupted the Demon, "for I

have been with you constantly, although I remained invisible."

Then you know what a jolly time I've had," returned the boy. "But why

do you call them foolish experiences?"

Because they were, abominably foolish!" retorted the Demon, bitterly. "I

entrusted to you gifts of rare scientific interest--electrical devices of such

utility that their general adoption by mankind would create a new era in

earth life. I hoped your use of these devices would convey such hints to

electrical engineers that they would quickly comprehend their

mechanism and be able to reproduce them in sufficient quantities to

supply the world. And how do you treat these marvelous gifts? Why,

you carry them to a cannibal island, where even your crude civilization

has not yet penetrated!"

I wanted to astonish the natives," said Rob, grinning.

The Demon uttered an exclamation of anger, and stamped his foot so

fiercely that thousands of electric sparks filled the air, to disappear

quickly with a hissing, crinkling sound.

You might have astonished those ignorant natives as easily by showing

them an ordinary electric light," he cried, mockingly. "The power of your

gifts would have startled the most advanced electricians of the world.

Why did you waste them upon barbarians?"

Really," faltered Rob, who was frightened and awed by the Demon's

vehement anger, "I never intended to visit a cannibal island. I meant to

go to Cuba."

The Master Key