someone that could have supplied the answer to that question currently lay on the thin mattress on the bunk of his barge , but rather than sleeping the peaceful sleep of the blessedly knowledgeable tal turner tossed and turned until three oclock , his mind running over plans and counter-plans , scenarios and counter-scenarios , imaginary conversations and counter-conversations , each with the ultimate aim of bringing about his goal : the seduction of the young woman that he pictured sleeping in her own barge , a mere canals width away .