Read the following passage and questions, then choose the right answer from options, the answer should be one of A, B, C, D.

<passage>:
Retief rose, went to the communicator, assisted Miss Meuhl aside. "Listen carefully, Fith," he said. "Your bluff has been called. You don't come in and we don't come out. Your camouflage worked for nine years, but it's all over now. I suggest you keep your heads and resist the temptation to make matters worse than they are." "The Consul for the Terrestrial States," Retief said, "presents his "Miss Meuhl," Fith said, "a peace squad waits outside your consulate. Retief turned at a sound behind him. Miss Meuhl was at the door, Retief exhaled a plume of cigar smoke. "Don't!" Retief jumped—too late. six light-concerts, four attempts at chamber music, and god knows how many assorted folk-art festivals. I've been tied up every off-duty hour since I got here—" "You can't offend the Groaci," Miss Meuhl said sharply. "Consul Whaffle would never have been so rude." "Whaffle left here three months ago," Retief said, "leaving me in charge." "Well," Miss Meuhl said, snapping off the dictyper. "I'm sure I don't "You are the consul, Miss Yolanda Meuhl," Shluh said. "Would it not be "I don't recall dictating any letters today, Miss Meuhl," Retief said, Mr. Retief to his quarters in this building—" "I don't advise you to violate my diplomatic immunity, Fith," Retief "Did you write all Whaffle's letters for him, Miss Meuhl?" "Consul Whaffle was an extremely busy man," Miss Meuhl said stiffly. Miss Meuhl blinked behind thick lenses. "Whatever for?" Retief looked thoughtfully at Miss Meuhl. "You've been here on Groac for four years, Miss Meuhl. What was behind the coup d'etat that put "That's an illegal waiver," Retief said. "I'm consul here, whatever the present government in power?" "I'm sure I haven't pried into—" Retief nodded. "Thanks, Miss Meuhl," he said. "I'll be back before "To enjoy a cooling drink," Retief said in Groacian, squatting down at Retief turned. A tall Groacian vibrated his mandibles in a gesture "I've changed my mind," Retief said to the bartender. "To be grateful Retief backed away. Retief stepped around him, seized his collar and yanked. The Groacian Retief put a foot against his chest and pushed. "To not be going anywhere for a few minutes," Retief said. "To stay right here and have a nice long talk." II "There you are!" Miss Meuhl said, eyeing Retief over her lenses. "There "Government men, I imagine. Word travels fast." Retief pulled off his Ministry." "What have you been doing? They seem very upset, I don't mind telling you." indicative of rank rose as Retief entered the room. Neither offered a Consul," the taller Groacian said, in lisping Terran. "May I present "Sit down, gentlemen," Retief said. They resumed their seats. Miss Mr. Consul. I shall ask Shluh to recount it." He nodded to the police the Terrestrial Consul." Mr. Consul. It reminds us of certain illegal treatment at Terrestrial answers, and stayed on to dig around a little. After a week they left. Somewhat annoying to the Groaci, maybe—at the most. If they were innocent." "Save the protests, Fith. You have some explaining to do. And I don't think your story will be good enough." it." Fith rose "I shall ask for your immediate recall, Mr. Consul. Were it not for "—to keep the Terrestrial consul and his staff in the dark," Retief "Enough!" Fith's mandibles quivered in distress. "I can talk no more of this matter—" "You'll talk to me, or there'll be a task force here in five days to do the talking," Retief said. Retief turned a steady look on Miss Meuhl. She closed her mouth. The Groaci sat down. "Answer me this one," Retief said, looking at Shluh. "A few years back—about nine, I think—there was a little parade held here. Some "Tell me, Shluh, what happened to those six Terrestrials after the parade was over?" "Didn't take the trouble to find out, either, did you?" "They fell ill," Fith said. "One by one...." "Miss Meuhl," Retief said. "If I don't come back in a reasonable length Retief stooped under the heavy timbers shoring the entry to the cavern. Retief grunted. "Let's go inside." "Indeed, I hope that this will be the end of this unfortunate affair," he said. "Now that all has been fully and honestly shown—" "You can skip all that," Retief said. "You're nine years late. The Retief looked grimly at the slender Foreign Office official. "Where is "My government can entertain no further accusations, Mr. Consul," "You can and you will, Fith," Retief said. "I intend to get to the Retief eyed Fith. "Don't try it," he said. "You'll just get yourself in "You're ready to forgive a great deal, Miss Meuhl. But it's not what happened nine years ago I'm concerned with. It's what's happening now. "That's my decision," Retief said. "I have a job to do and we're it's too late. If I wait for an official Inquiry Commission, they'll find nothing but blank smiles." indignation. "You're like a ... a...." "You and I are in a tight spot, Miss Meuhl. The logical next move for supply down. Don't let anyone in, on any pretext whatever. I'll keep in touch with you via hand-phone." "What are you planning to do?" done and sit tight. I think you'll be all right. It won't be easy to blast in here and anyway, they won't make things worse by killing you. A force can be here in a week." Retief, rose and snapped on a light, turned to stare. "Where have you been?" Miss Meuhl demanded. "I stayed here—" and water from the dispenser, too. We'll be holed up here for a week, at least." He jotted figures on a pad. "Warm up the official sender. I have a long transmission for Regional Headquarters." "I have a message to get off first, Miss Meuhl," Retief said sharply. it later." "At this hour? There's no one there...." "Exactly." "That's right," Retief said calmly. "Now—" "Get that sender going, woman!" Retief snapped. "This is important." "I've already done so, Mr. Retief!" Miss Meuhl said harshly. "I've been "He's here now," Miss Meuhl said to the screen. She looked at Retief "I have done my duty, Mr. Retief," Miss Meuhl said. "I made a full Retief looked at her levelly. "You've been a busy girl, Miss Meuhl. Did "Mr. Retief," the face on the screen said, "I am Counsellor Pardy, administratively, vice Miss Yolanda Meuhl, DAO-9. Pending the findings Retief reached out and snapped off the communicator. The triumphant Retief ignored Miss Meuhl's fury as he spoke into the recorder. "Go ahead," Retief said. "Answer it." "Yolanda Meuhl," he said without preamble, "for the Foreign Minister of direct from the Terrestrial Headquarters. As consul, you are requested to make available for questioning Mr. J. Retief, former consul, in

<question>:
How long ago was Retief given Whaffle’s  consul position?

<options>:
A Three months
B Nine months
C Nine years
D One month

<answer>:

A