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It's wonderful!" cried the boy, with a sigh that was followed by a slight

shiver.

The Record is, indeed, proof within itself of the marvelous possibilities of

electricity. Men are now obliged to depend upon newspapers for

information; but these can only relate events long after they have

occurred. And newspaper statements are often unreliable and

sometimes wholly false, while many events of real importance are never

printed in their columns. You may guess what an improvement is this

automatic Record of Events, which is as reliable as Truth itself. Nothing

can be altered or falsified, for the vibratory currents convey the actual

events to your vision, even as they happen."

But suppose," said Rob, "that something important should happen while

I'm asleep, or not looking at the box?"

I have called this a Record," replied the Demon, "and such it really is,

although I have shown you only such events as are in process of being

recorded. By pressing this spring you may open the opposite cover of the

box, where all events of importance that have occurred throughout the

world during the previous twenty-four hours will appear before you in

succession. You may thus study them at your leisure. The various

scenes constitute a register of the world's history, and may be recalled to

view as often as you desire."

It's--it's like knowing everything," murmured Rob, deeply impressed for

perhaps the first time in his life.

It IS knowing everything," returning the Demon; "and this mighty gift I

have decided to entrust to your care. Be very careful as to whom you

permit to gaze upon these pictures of passing events, for knowledge may

often cause great misery to the human race."

I'll be careful," promised the boy, as he took the box reverently within

his own hands.

The third and last gift of the present series," resumed the Demon, "is

one no less curious than the Record of Events, although it has an

entirely different value. It is a Character Marker."

What's that?" inquired Rob.

The Master Key