th these gifts, and the ones you acquired a week ago, you are now
equipped to astound the world and awaken mankind to a realization of
the wonders that may be accomplished by natural forces. See that you
employ these powers wisely, in the interests of science, and do not
forget your promise to exhibit your electrical marvels only to those
who are most capable of comprehending them."

"I'll remember," said Rob.

"Then adieu until a week from to-day, when I will meet you here at this
hour and bestow upon you the last three gifts which you are entitled to
receive. Good-by!"

"Good-by!" repeated Rob, and in a gorgeous flash of color the Demon
disappeared, leaving the boy alone in the room with his new and
wonderful possessions.

9. The Second Journey

By this time you will have gained a fair idea of Rob's character. He
is, in truth, a typical American boy, possessing an average
intelligence not yet regulated by the balance-wheel of experience. The
mysteries of electricity were so attractive to his eager nature that he
had devoted considerable time and some study to electrical experiment;
but his study was the superficial kind that seeks to master only such
details as may be required at the moment. Moreover, he was full of
boyish recklessness and irresponsibility and therefore difficult to
impress with the dignity of science and the gravity of human existence.
Life, to him, was a great theater wherein he saw himself the most
interesting if not the most important actor, and so enjoyed the play
with unbounded enthusiasm.

Aside from the extraordinary accident which had forced the Electrical
Demon into this life, Rob may be considered one of those youngsters who
might possibly develop into a brilliant manhood or enter upon an
ordinary, humdrum existence, as Fate should determine. Just at present
he had no thought beyond the passing hour, nor would he bother himself
by attempting to look ahead or plan for the future.

Yet the importance of his electrical possessions and the stern
injunction of the Demon to use them wisely had rendered the boy more
thoughtful than at any previous time during his brief life, and he
became so preoccupied at the dinner table that his father and mother
cast many anxious looks in his direction.

Of course Rob was anxious to test his newly-acquired powers, and
decided to lose no time in starting upon another journey. But he said
nothing to any of the family about it, fearing t