The Master Key | Page 5

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 danger from highwaymen, cranks and policemen. To defend
himself he uses heavy and dangerous guns, with which to destroy his
enemies. This is wrong. He has no right to take away what he can not
bestow; to destroy what he can not create. To kill a fellow-creature is a
horrid crime, even if done in self-defense. Therefore, my second gift to
you is this little tube. You may carry it within your pocket. Whenever
an enemy threatens you, be it man or beast, simply point the tube and
press this button in the handle. An electric current will instantly be

directed upon your foe, rendering him wholly unconscious for the
period of one hour. During that time you will have opportunity to
escape. As for your enemy, after regaining consciousness he will suffer
no inconvenience from the encounter beyond a slight headache."
"That's fine!" said Rob, as he took the tube. It was scarcely six inches
long, and hollow at one end.
"The busy lives of men," proceeded the Demon, "require them to move
about and travel in all directions. Yet to assist them there are only such
crude and awkward machines as electric trolleys, cable cars, steam
railways and automobiles. These crawl slowly over the uneven surface
of the earth and frequently get out of order. It has grieved me that men
have not yet discovered what even birds know: that the atmosphere
offers them swift and easy means of traveling from one part of the
earth's surface to another."
"Some people have tried to build airships," remarked Rob.
"So they have; great, unwieldy machines which offer so much
resistance to the air that they are quite useless. A big machine is not
needed to carry one through the air. There are forces in nature which
may be readily used for such purpose. Tell me, what holds you to the
Earth, and makes a stone fall to the ground?"
"Attraction of gravitation," said Rob, promptly.
"Exactly. That is one force I refer to," said the Demon. "The force of
repulsion, which is little known, but just as powerful, is another that
mankind may direct. Then there are the Polar electric forces, attracting
objects toward the north or south poles. You have guessed something
of this by the use of the compass, or electric needle. Opposed to these is
centrifugal electric force, drawing objects from east to west, or in the
opposite direction. This force is created by the whirl of the earth upon
its axis, and is easily utilized, although your scientific men have as yet
paid little attention to it.
"These forces, operating in all directions, absolute and immutable, are

at the disposal of mankind. They will carry you through the atmosphere
wherever and whenever you choose. That is, if you know how to
control them. Now, here is a machine I have myself perfected."
The Demon drew from his pocket something that resembled an
open-faced watch, having a narrow, flexible band attached to it.
"When you wish to travel," said he, "attach this little machine to your
left wrist by means of the band. It is very light and will not be in your
way. On this dial are points marked 'up' and 'down' as well as a perfect
compass. When you desire to rise into the air set the indicator to the
word 'up,' using a finger of your right hand to turn it. When you have
risen as high as you wish, set the indicator to the point of the compass
you want to follow and you will be carried by the proper electric force
in that direction. To descend, set the indicator to the word 'down.' Do
you understand?"
"Perfectly!" cried Rob, taking the machine from the Demon with
unfeigned delight. "This is really wonderful, and I'm awfully obliged to
you!"
"Don't mention it," returned the Demon, dryly. "These three gifts you
may amuse yourself with for the next week. It seems hard to entrust
such great scientific discoveries to the discretion of a mere boy; but
they are quite harmless, so if you exercise proper care you can not get
into trouble through their possession. And who knows what benefits to
humanity may result? One week from to-day, at this hour, I will again
appear to you, at which time you shall receive the second series of
electrical gifts."
"I'm not sure," said Rob, "that I shall be able again to make the
connections that will strike the Master Key."
"Probably not," answered the Demon. "Could