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I can't do that," replied the boy, decidedly; "but, having seen these, you

may be able to discover their construction for yourself. Now that you

know such things to be possible and practical, the hint should be

sufficient to enable a shrewd electrician to prepare duplicates of them."

The scientist glared at him with evident disappointment, and Rob

continued:

These are not all the wonders I can exhibit. Here is another electrical

device that is, perhaps, the most remarkable of any I possess."

He took the Character Marking spectacles from his pocket and fitted

them to his eyes. Then he gave a whistle of surprise and turned his back

upon his new friend. He had seen upon the Frenchman's forehead the

letters "E" and "C."

Guess I've struck the wrong sort of scientist, after all!" he muttered, in a

disgusted tone.

His companion was quick to prove the accuracy of the Character Marker.

Seeing the boy's back turned, he seized a long iron bar that was used to

operate the telescope, and struck at Rob so fiercely that had he not worn

the Garment of Protection his skull would have been crushed by the

blow. At it was, the bar rebounded with a force that sent the murderous

Frenchman sprawling upon the roof, and Rob turned around and

laughed at him.

It won't work, Professor," he said. "I'm proof against assassins. Perhaps

you had an idea that when you had killed me you could rob me of my

valuable possessions; but they wouldn't be a particle of use to a

scoundrel like you, I assure you! Good morning."

Before the surprised and baffled scientist could collect himself

sufficiently to reply, the boy was soaring far above his head and

searching for a convenient place to alight, that he might investigate the

charms of this famed city of Paris.

It was indeed a beautiful place, with many stately buildings lining the

shady boulevards. So thronged were the streets that Rob well knew he

would soon be the center of a curious crowd should he alight upon them.

Already a few sky-gazers had noted the boy moving high in the air, above

their heads, and one or two groups stood pointing their fingers at him.

The Master Key