A closely-coiled helical spring is acted upon by an axial force. The maximum shear stress developed in the spring is t. Half of the length of spring is cut off and the remaining spring is acted upon by the same axial force. The maximum shear stress in the spring in the new condition will be:

• A. \[\text{1/2}\,\tau \]
• B. \[\tau \]
• C. \[\text{2}\,\tau \]
• D. \[\text{4}\,\tau \]