第15章 Rob Acquires New Powers(1)

"I have seen the folly of sending you into the world with an offensiv. instrument, yet with no method of defense," resumed the Demon. presently. "You have knocked over a good many people with that tub. during the past week.""I know," said Rob; "but I couldn't help it. It was the only way Ihad to protect myself."

"Therefore my next gift shall be this Garment of Protection. You mus. wear it underneath your clothing. It has power to accumulate an. exercise electrical repellent force. Perhaps you do not know wha. that means, so I will explain more fully. When any missile, such as . bullet, sword or lance, approaches your person, its rush through th. air will arouse the repellent force of which I speak, and this force. being more powerful than the projective force, will arrest the fligh. of the missile and throw it back again. Therefore nothing can touc. your person that comes with any degree of force or swiftness, and yo. will be safe from all ordinary weapons. When wearing this Garment yo. will find it unnecessary to use the electric tube except on rar. occasions. Never allow revenge or animosity to influence you. conduct. Men may threaten, but they can not injure you, so you mus. remember that they do not possess your mighty advantages, and that. because of your strength, you should bear with them patiently."Rob examined the garment with much curiosity. It glittered lik. silver, yet was soft and pliable as lamb's wool. Evidently the Demo. had prepared it especially for his use, for it was just Rob's size.

"Now," continued the Demon, more gravely, "we approach the subject o. an electrical device so truly marvelous that even I am awed when Icontemplate the accuracy and perfection of the natural laws whic. guide it and permit it to exercise its functions. Mankind has as ye. conceived nothing like it, for it requires full knowledge o. electrical power to understand even its possibilities."The Being paused, and drew from an inner pocket something resembling . flat metal box. In size it was about four inches by six, and nearl. an inch in thickness.

"What is it?" asked Rob, wonderingly.

"It is an automatic Record of Events," answered the Demon.

"I don't understand," said Rob, with hesitation.

"I will explain to you its use," returned the Demon, "although th. electrical forces which operate it and the vibratory currents whic. are the true records must remain unknown to you until your brain ha. mastered the higher knowledge of electricity. At present th. practical side of this invention will be more interesting to you tha. a review of its scientific construction.

"Suppose you wish to know the principal events that are occurring i. Germany at the present moment. You first turn this little wheel a. the side until the word 'Germany' appears in the slot at the smal. end. Then open the top cover, which is hinged, and those passin. events in which you are interested will appear before your eyes."The Demon, as he spoke, opened the cover, and, looking within, the bo. saw, as in a mirror, a moving picture before him. A regiment o. soldiers was marching through the streets of Berlin, and at its hea. rode a body of horsemen, in the midst of which was the Empero. himself. The people who thronged the sidewalks cheered and wave. their hats and handkerchiefs with enthusiasm, while a band o. musicians played a German air, which Rob could distinctly hear.

While he gazed, spell-bound, the scene changed, and he looked upon . great warship entering a harbor with flying pennants. The rails wer. lined with officers and men straining their eyes for the first sigh. of their beloved "VATERLAND" after a long foreign cruise, and . ringing cheer, as from a thousand throats, came faintly to Rob's ear.

Again the scene changed, and within a dingy, underground room, hemme. in by walls of stone, and dimly lighted by a flickering lamp, a bod. of wild-eyed, desperate men were plighting an oath to murder th. Emperor and overthrow his government.

"Anarchists?" asked Rob, trembling with excitement.

"Anarchists!" answered the Demon, with a faint sneer, and he shut th. cover of the Record with a sudden snap.

"It's wonderful!" cried the boy, with a sigh that was followed by . slight shiver.