It was dark in the cave but it led straight into the cliff - confirming Gabriel's suspicion that it was a mineshaft - and the light from outside reached in for some distance.

Gabriel saw the man shoot past him like a frightened hare, and once the man stopped it was hard for Gabriel to see him properly. "Are you alright, sir?" he said. He sat down on the ground. The rim of his black cassock was soaked, but he was more concerned about his feet. He tried to take off his wet shoes, but he struggled with the buttons.