At the opposite side of the room was a similar heap, and upon this a man was sitting, leaning against the wall, with his chin dropped on his chest.
The thought of escape at once occurred to Charlie.

Could he reach the window, which was without glass and a mere opening in the wall, without awakening his guard, he could drop out and make for Allan Ramsay's.

As soon as he tried to move, however, he found that this idea was for the present impracticable.

He felt too weak to lift his head, and, at the slight rustle of straw caused by the attempt, the man opposite roused himself with a start.
He gave another slight movement, and then again lay quiet with his eyes closed.

The man came across and spoke, but he made no sign.
Some more wine was poured between his lips, then the man returned to his former position, and all was quiet.
As he lay thinking his position over, Charlie thought that those who had set his assailants to their work must have had two objects--the one to put a stop to his efforts to organize an agitation against the king, the second to find out, by questioning him, who were those with whom he had been in communication, in order that they might be arrested, and their property confiscated.
He could see no other reason why his life should be spared by his assailants, for it would have been easier, and far less troublesome, to run him through as he lay senseless on the ground, than to carry him off and keep him a prisoner.
This idea confirmed the suspicion he had first entertained, that the assault had been organized by Ben Soloman.