Concept:Context clues in the sentence help choose the word with the correct meaning.Explanation:The phrase “muffled whispers” suggests something secret or hidden. “Furtive” means secretive, sly, or done quietly to avoid notice. This matches the secretive tone of the sentence perfectly. The other options do not fit: “barefaced” means shameless, “denotative” means literal, and “overt” means open.Answer:The correct word is furtive (Option C).