`` well , '' said ponder , gratified at the attention , `` it appears that there was this man , right , who had to choose between going through two doors , apparently , and the guard on one door always told the truth and the guard on the other door always told a lie , and the thing was , behind one door was certain death , and behind the other door was freedom , and he did n't know which guard was which , and he could only ask them one question and so : what did he ask ? ''