L Frank Baum

The Master Key L Frank Baum

Rob was a courageous boy, but a thrill of fear passed over him in spite of his bravest endeavoras he gazed upon the wondrous apparition that confronted him. For several moments he sat as ifturned to stone, so motionless was he; but his eyes were nevertheless fastened upon the Being anddevouring every detail of his appearance. And how strange an appearance he presented!His jacket was a wavering mass of white light, edged with braid of red flames that shot littletongues in all directions. The buttons blazed in golden fire. His trousers had a bluish, incandescentcolor, with glowing stripes of crimson braid. His vest was gorgeous with all the colors of therainbow blended into a flashing, resplendent mass. In feature he was most majestic, and his eyesheld the soft but penetrating brilliance of electric lights. It was hard to meet the gaze of those searching eyes, but Rob did it, and at once the splendidapparition bowed and said in a low, clear voice: "I am here.""I know that," answered the boy, trembling, "but WHY are you here?""Because you have touched the Master Key of Electricity, and I must obey the laws of naturethat compel me to respond to your summons.""I-I didn't know I touched the Master Key," faltered the boy."I understand that. You did it unconsciously. No one in the world has ever done it before, forNature has hitherto kept the secret safe locked within her bosom."Rob took time to wonder at this statement."Then who are you?" he inquired, at length."The Demon of Electricity," was the solemn answer."Good gracious!" exclaimed Rob, "a demon!""Certainly. I am, in truth, the Slave of the Master Key, and am forced to obey the commands ofany one who is wise and brave enough-or, as in your own case, fortunate and fool-hardy enough-to touch it.