an hour after midnight
Among other things we need to know are accurate details pertaining to the intentions and doings of our rulers , for whatever our own short-comings may be , the actions of those above us affect business one way or the other . May I read you a short report that came in while I was serving my term of imprisonment ? '' `` Oh , read what you like , '' said Roland indifferently , throwing back his head , and partially closing his eyes , with an air of _ ennui _ . The merchant drew towards him a file of papers , and going through them carefully , selected a document , and drew it forth , then , clearing his throat , he read aloud -- '' ` At an hour after midnight , on St. Stanislas ' Day , three nobles , one representing the Archbishop of Mayence , the second the Archbishop of Treves , and the third the Archbishop of Cologne , armed with authority from these three Electors and Princes of the Church , entered the Saalhof from the side facing the river , and arrested in his bed the young Prince Roland . They assured the Empress , who protested , that the Prince would be well cared for , and that , as an insurrection was feared in Frankfort , it was considered safer that the person whom they intended to elevate to the throne on the event of the Emperor 's death , should be out of harm 's way , being placed under the direct care of the Archbishop of Mayence . They informed the Empress that the Archbishops would not remove the Prince from the Palace in opposition to the wishes of either the Emperor or herself , but if this permission was not given , a meeting of the Electors would at once be called , and some one else selected to succeed the present ruler . '' ` This consideration exerted a great influence upon the Empress , who counseled her son to acquiesce .