"Oh, I won't go far," said Keltry. "Really, I won't."
"Well, be sure that you don't," Dynamon smiled into his transmitter. Then he said, "Thamon, where are you?"
"Right here," and a figure moved over beside the centurion.
Dynamon's question was casual.
"Did you see anything that looked like a volcanic crater?"
"Come to think of it," the scientist replied, "I think I did. It's just up here a few yards."
"Shall we go along and have a look at it too, then?" said Dynamon, getting up on his feet. Just then, he stood rooted with horror as a piercing scream rang in his ear phone.
"Dynamon! Dynamon, I'm falling!"
"Keltry!" the centurion exclaimed. "What's the matter? Has something happened to your helmet?"
"Yes!" Keltry's voice was fainter. "I've lost it! It was unfastened, and when I stumbled, it rolled off!" Fainter and fainter grew the voice. "I'm falling down a black hole a mile a minute!" With a muttered sob, Dynamon scrambled up the slope. A moment later, his foot stepped out on empty space. He started to fall into nothingness.