three P.M
He commenced with an eloquent dissertation on the rights of man , and his own rights in particular , but stopped when he saw that the reporters tucked their pencils behind their ears , and waited for facts . The moment he began to talk facts -- which are to reporters what corn is to crows -- down came the pencils from their perches again , and went tripping over the paper . Mr. Tiffles 's testimony would have consumed two hours , or two days , perhaps , if he had been allowed to go on unchecked . But the coroner had been invited to dine at a Broadway restaurant , with a few political friends , at three P.M. . So he concluded , after Tiffles had talked five minutes , that he knew nothing about the murder , and could throw no light on it , and told Tiffles that he was not wanted further . `` And you mean to tell me , sir , that I am not to be locked up in the station house to-night , '' said Tiffles . `` No , unless yer want ter be . ''