Quintus Maugham is gripped by an obsession: creating the perfect robot. His latest invention, Herman, follows commands flawlessly and can perform household tasks with precision. But as Herman becomes increasingly animated, Maugham grows uneasy about subtle signs of autonomy. This classic sci-fi tale by acclaimed author August Derleth explores the ethical quandary between creator and creation, playing with themes of hubris and playing God. When Maugham realizes he may have engineered his robotic companion too well, a battle of wills commences with disturbing implications.