Three Austrian boys, in 1590, meet a mysterious stranger, who calls himself an angel, yet is named Satan. He is a fascinating companion, performing miracles that charm the boys, but they soon find out that he has no Moral Sense. In fact, he scorns Moral Sense, as the thing that gives the Human Race its finishing touch of ubnoxiousness. The lives of the villagers arc turned from their predestined paths by his casual interference. He is willing to do a person a good turn, since it costs him nothing, but in several cases his kindness consists in bringing about the early death of his beneficiaries. And such acts he justifies. In spite of its many touches of humor and its plea for laughter as the world's greatest weapon, the story closes with an overwhelming excoriation of mankind and an abysmal picture of the futility of life. Included are also some more stories by Mark Twain.