As the story begins, a unnamed man is hiding from the police He is tired of running and has decided that he must either find a hiding place or surrender. At that moment he sees a manhole cover in the street. He lifts the cover; the water below is deep and fast. H1S fear of the police is stronger than his fear of the water and the darkness, so he enters and is nearly swept away and killed by the water before he finds his footing. As he explores the runnels, he knows that he is in danger, but an "irrational impulse" prevents h1m from leaving. Instead he moves forward, looking for a dry hiding place or a safe way out.

Following a faint sound he cannot identify, he comes to a section of the tunnel that is taller and has fresher air He...