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A dozen men threw themselves upon the Governor, who defended himself with the strength of despair; but superior numbers quickly gained the mastery, and after a short struggle Pomeroff lay helpless upon the floor. Then one of the students took a vial of chloroform from his pocket. Seizing a napkin he saturated it with the liquid and applied it to the nostrils of the prostrated man.
"Your excellency is too good," said Mendel, joyously, as bright visions of emancipation flashed through his brain. "I am told that you have great influence with your people," continued the Governor. "Am I correctly informed?" "I am too young to influence them, but I believe I have their esteem and respect." "They, at all events, place confidence in you," answered Pomeroff.
Men who have never been tried, nor perhaps even accused, but who are simply suspected by the police, are often without the slightest investigation hurried into exile or death." On the following morning, Governor Pomeroff, the just and merciful, the friend and protector of the Jews, was secretly executed in the fortress of Kief. Excitement was at fever heat. The Governor was beloved by all.
At these concluding words, the whole party arose and, holding out their right hands in token of allegiance to their cause, they repeated the cry: "Down with the Czar!" For a few moments absolute silence reigned. Then Governor Pomeroff struggled to his feet. "I fear I am out of place here," he began. "You will do me the favor to remember that I came here ignorant of your purposes.
Under cover of a dark and cloudy night Pomeroff was carried to his home, and with the assistance of his secretary, Moleska, was carefully placed upon the couch in his private cabinet. When Pomeroff awoke next morning, he rubbed his eyes sleepily and looked about him. "By St. Nicholas, I have had a horrible dream," he muttered. "I must have slept on this couch all night."
He had a strong conviction that Pomeroff was innocent, but if guilty he felt it his duty to ferret out the conspiracy and discover Pomeroff's accomplices. He owed it to his own safety to purge the palace of such as might be there. With the skill of a trained detective, and with the utmost secrecy, he began the work.
His first investigations were made in the palace which he was henceforth to occupy. Drentell soon discovered that Moleska, Pomeroff's secretary, had duplicate keys to the desk and closets in the private cabinet. If Pomeroff was innocent, this would explain the presence of the incriminating papers in the Governor's desk.
Instructions concerning the judgment to be rendered were telegraphed from St. Petersburg and the military judges had but to obey their imperial mandate. Under such conditions the trial was a mere form. The evidence against the prisoner was positive. Within an hour Pomeroff, who had no opportunity of saying a word in his defence, was sentenced to death.
You have cast your fortunes with us and must share our dangers and our glory." "You mistake," answered the Governor, proudly. "I came to a feast, not to a conspiracy. Your motive for bringing me here is not known to me, but if it is to make me a traitor to my country and my Czar you do not know me. A Pomeroff has never yet stooped to treason. Again I say, let me go!"
He tried a smaller door leading to the rear of the palace. It, too, was locked and resisted his efforts to open it. With a cry of anger and surprise, Pomeroff exclaimed: "This is carrying the farce to extremes. So I am a prisoner in my own house! Can it be that they will carry out their diabolical threats and have me tried as a suspect? Nonsense!
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