For one of the greatest errors they
now labor under is that electricity is complicated and hard to
understand. It is really the simplest Earth element, lying within easy
reach of any one who stretches out his hand to grasp and control its
powers."

Rob yawned, for he thought the Demon's speeches were growing rather
tiresome. Perhaps the genius noticed this rudeness, for he continued:

"I regret, of course, that you are a boy instead of a grown man, for it
will appear singular to your friends that so thoughtless a youth should
seemingly have mastered the secrets that have baffled your most learned
scientists. But that can not be helped, and presently you will become,
through my aid, the most powerful and wonderful personage in all the
world."

"Thank you," said Rob, meekly. "It'll be no end of fun."

"Fun!" echoed the Demon, scornfully. "But never mind; I must use the
material Fate has provided for me, and make the best of it."

"What will you give me first?" asked the boy, eagerly.

"That requires some thought," returned the Demon, and paused for
several moments, while Rob feasted his eyes upon the gorgeous rays of
color that flashed and vibrated in every direction and surrounded the
figure of his visitor with an intense glow that resembled a halo.

Then the Demon raised his head and said:

"The thing most necessary to man is food to nourish his body. He
passes a considerable part of his life in the struggle to procure food,
to prepare it properly, and in the act of eating. This is not right.
Your body can not be very valuable to you if all your time is required
to feed it. I shall, therefore, present you, as my first gift, this
box of tablets. Within each tablet are stored certain elements of
electricity which are capable of nourishing a human body for a full
day. All you need do is to toss one into your mouth each day and
swallow it. It will nourish you, satisfy your hunger and build up your
health and strength. The ordinary food of mankind is more or less
injurious; this is entirely beneficial. Moreover, you may carry enough
tablets in your pocket to last for months."

Here he presented Rob the 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