"It certainly did," Keltry answered. "I think that's some kind of human."
"If it's a human," Dynamon said, "then there must be some sort of breathable atmosphere down here. You notice he's not wearing any oxygen mask."
"Whoo-yoo?" the stranger repeated, "an whey cum fum?"
"He's speaking a kind of English!" said Keltry excitedly. "He said, 'who are you' and 'where do you come from'!"
"By Jupiter!" cried Dynamon. "I think you're right. If he can breathe without a mask, so can we. I'll have a little talk with him."
A moment later the centurion stood bare-headed, helmet and oxygen mask in hand.
"We're humans from Earth," he told the stranger, pronouncing each word carefully. "Who are you?"
The stranger's eyes and mouth flew open in astonishment and the rod sagged in his hands.
"Humes! Fum Earth!" he cried hoarsely, then turned his head, and gave an ear-splitting yell.