She had threatened me with tortures, and was likely to inflict them if she should think that necessary; but nothing seemed more unlikely than that she would keep me for the present without food and water.

It would be bad strategy, to say the least of it.

She had admitted that she did not want to offend King.
The more I considered that, the more worth while it seemed to bet on it; and as I had nothing to bet with except will power and personal convenience, I plunged with both and determined to stay awake as long as human endurance could hold out.
There was only one way that food could possibly be brought into the room, and that was through the massive teak-wood door.

It was in the middle of the wall, and opened inward; there were no bolts on the inside.

Anybody opening it cautiously would be able to see instantly all down the length of half that wall, and possibly two thirds of the room as well.
It would have been hardly practical to stand against the door and hit at the first head that showed, for then if the door should open suddenly, it would strike me and give the alarm.