"Why, the people who live there."
"There are none."
This great statement almost took Rob's breath away, and caused him t. stare hard at his visitor.
"It's generally thought," he resumed, in an annoyed tone, "that Mar. has inhabitants who are far in advance of ourselves in civilization.
Many scientific men think the people of Mars have been trying t. signal us for years, only we don't understand their signals. An. great novelists have written about the Martians and their wonderfu. civilization, and--""And they all know as much about that little planet as you d. yourself," interrupted the Demon, impatiently. "The trouble with yo. Earth people is that you delight in guessing about what you can no. know. Now I happen to know all about Mars, because I can traverse al. space and have had ample leisure to investigate the different planets.
Mars is not peopled at all, nor is any other of the planets yo. recognize in the heavens. Some contain low orders of beasts, to b. sure, but Earth alone has an intelligent, thinking, reasonin. population, and your scientists and novelists would do better tryin. to comprehend their own planet than in groping through space t. unravel the mysteries of barren and unimportant worlds."Rob listened to this with surprise and disappointment; but h. reflected that the Demon ought to know what he was talking about, s. he did not venture to contradict him.
"It is really astonishing," continued the Apparition, "how little yo. people have learned about electricity. It is an Earth element tha. has existed since the Earth itself was formed, and if you bu. understood its proper use humanity would be marvelously benefited i. many ways.""We are, already," protested Rob; "our discoveries in electricity hav. enabled us to live much more conveniently.""Then imagine your condition were you able fully to control this grea. element," replied the other, gravely. "The weaknesses and privation. of mankind would be converted into power and luxury.""That's true, Mr.--Mr.--Demon," said the boy. "Excuse me if I don'. get your name right, but I understood you to say you are a demon.""Certainly. The Demon of Electricity."
"But electricity is a good thing, you know, and--and--""Well?"
"I've always understood that demons were bad things," added Rob, boldly.
"Not necessarily," returned his visitor. "If you will take th. trouble to consult your dictionary, you will find that demons may b. either good or bad, like any other class of beings. Originally al. demons were good, yet of late years people have come to consider al. demons evil. I do not know why. Should you read Hesiod you will fin. he says:
'Soon was a world of holy demons made. Aerial spirits, by great Jove designe. To be on earth the guardians of mankind.'""But Jove was himself a myth," objected Rob, who had bee. studying mythology.
The Demon shrugged his shoulders.
"Then take the words of Mr. Shakespeare, to whom you all defer," h. replied. "Do you not remember that he says:
'Thy demon (that's thy spirit which keeps thee) i. Noble, courageous, high, unmatchable.'""Oh, if Shakespeare says it, that's all right," answered the boy.
"But it seems you're more like a genius, for you answer the summons o. the Master Key of Electricity in the same way Aladdin's geniu. answered the rubbing of the lamp.""To be sure. A demon is also a genius; and a genius is a demon," sai. the Being. "What matters a name. I am here to do your bidding."
