About noon
Wearied with his vain exertions and furious at his helplessness , he threw himself upon the sofa . As he became calmer he began to reflect upon his situation . Slowly the hours passed without affording relief . About noon Pomeroff heard the key turn in the lock and an instant later the apartment was filled with officers of the _ gendarmerie _ . The Chief of Police , Polatschek , was the first to break the silence . `` I regret , your excellency , '' he said , sadly , `` that I am obliged to take this step against one who has been my friend and benefactor , but the Czar 's orders are imperative . You will consider yourself my prisoner . ''