Yet what could he do?
There was no answer forthcoming; no possibility of breaking forth from that room was apparent; he was unarmed, helpless.

If he did succeed in breaking through the door, he would only encounter an armed guard, and pit himself against five or six men, criminals probably, who would count his death a small matter compared to their own safety.

He sank down, with head in his hands, totally unnerved--it was his fate to attempt nothing; only to wait on fortune.
Mark brought in food, merely opening the door slightly, and sliding the tray in on the floor.

No words were exchanged, nor was the tray removed until just at twilight, when the fellow appeared again on a similar mission.

It became dark, but no light was furnished.