Danchekker made a sweeping gesture that took in the whole length of the body. "Again, the rather squat and stocky build is consistent with the idea of a cool native environment. A fat, round object presents less surface area per unit volume than a long, thin one and thus loses less heat. Contrast the compact build of the Eskimo with the long limbs and lean body of the Negro. We know that at the time Charlie was alive the Earth was just entering the last cold period of the Pleistocene Ice Age. Life forms in existence at that time would have had about a million years to adapt to the cold. Also, there is strong reason to believe that ice ages are caused by a reduction in the amount of solar radiation falling on Earth, brought about by the Sun and planets passing through exceptionally dusty patches of space. For example, ice ages occur approximately every two hundred and fifty million years; this is also the period of rotation of our galaxy—surely more than mere coincidence. Thus, this being's evident adaptation to cold, the suggestion of a lower level of daylight, and his established age all correlate well."

Hunt looked at the professor quizzically. "You're pretty sure already, then, that's he's from Earth?" he said in a tone of mild surprise. "I mean—it's early days yet, surely?"

Danchekker drew back his head disdainfully and screwed up his eyebrows to convey a shadow of irritation. "Surely it is quite obvious, Dr. Hunt." The tone was that of a professor reproaching an errant student. "Consider the things we have observed: the teeth, the skull, the bones, the types and layout of organs. I have deliberately drawn attention to these details to emphasize his kinship to ourselves. It is clear that his ancestry is the same as ours." He waved his hand to and fro in front of his face. "No, there can be no doubt whatsoever. Charlie evolved from the same stock as modern man and all the other terrestrial primates."

Gray looked dubious. "Well, I dunno," he said. "I think Vic's got a point. I mean, if his lot did come from Earth, you'd have expected someone to have found out about it before now, wouldn't you."

Danchekker sighed with an overplay of indifference. "If you wish to doubt my word, you have, of course, every right to do so," he said. "However, as a biologist and an anthropologist, I for my part see more than sufficient evidence to support the conclusions I have stated."

Hunt seemed far from satisfied and started to speak again, but Caldwell intervened.

"Cool it, you guys. D'you think we haven't had enough arguments like this around here for the last few weeks?"

"I really think it's about time we had some lunch," Lyn Garland interrupted with well-timed tact.