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114 to Australia he would be indicted by our own laws.

He then inquired concerning the nature of the offence, and where it had been committed; so I explained the whole affair to him.

He answered, that we were on Neuroomian territory at the time, and that he was amenable to to their laws, if I chose to take further action in the matter.

However, I was doubtful if the lenient laws of Neuroomia would inflict on Septimus a punishment at all commensurate with the heinousness of his crime. So I made inquiries as to the nature of the sentence he would be likely to receive.

He said the offence I mentioned would probably be treated as a breach of trust, and that if he were found guilty, he would be prohibited from holding any high office in the country for some time, and that his right to occupy land would be delayed.

Whereupon I instantly replied that Septimus would consider this "no punishment at all"; that our laws were much more severe, and that I had the right to put and keep him in irons till we reached Australia.

He said that I might require his services, as he was a good seaman, in navigating the ship through