  Storing and release of a quantum light pulse in a medium of atoms in the
tripod configuration are studied. Two complementary sets of control fields are
defined, which lead to independent and complete photon release at two stages.
The system constitutes a new kind of a flexible beam splitter in which the
input and output ports concern photons of the same direction but well separated
in time. A new version of Hong-Ou-Mandel interference is discussed.
