Voices asked questions, but the corporal hurried him along, without making any reply.

Then he was thrust roughly into a stone-lined cell, and left alone.

Outside in the corridor two guards were stationed.

Hamlin sat down on the iron bed, dazed by the silence, endeavoring to collect his thoughts.

The nearest guard, leaning on his gun, watched carefully.
Voices reached him from outside, echoing in through the high, iron-barred window, but they were distant, the words indistinguishable.
As his brain cleared he gave no further thought to his own predicament, only considering how he could best divert suspicion from her.