one o'clock
in the morning
Do n't fail , you understand . '' With heart beating rapidly , but feeling wholly happy , young Prescott slipped downstairs and out of the house . A few moments later he was speeding over the lonely country road . At one o'clock in the morning he came back with District Attorney James , who heard Farmer Leigh 's statement , reduced it to writing and had it signed under oath before many witnesses . `` Officer Valden , '' said the district attorney , `` I authorize you to take your prisoner to Porterville , not to the jail , but to the Granite Hotel . As soon as court opens in the morning I will secure the formal discharge of your prisoner . '' This was done .