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206 have a man of your character about him down there."

"Say to the King, sir," said Shiana, "that I regard worldly riches as nothing and I care not whether I live or die, in comparison with carrying out the will of my King; that my good qualities are nothing to speak of, and my knowledge is small, but that however little or great my best may be, I will do it in his service. Ask his Majesty to give me a little time to arrange such business matters as I have in hand here, and to wind up my affairs."

"How much time would you need," said the Captain.

"A year and a quarter, sir," said Shiana.

"Very good," said the Captain.

The reason why Shiana said "a year and a quarter," was because, at that time, all that was left unspent of the thirteen years was only a year and a quarter.

—However long or short the years were, they