He Who Walks in Shadow Read Online Free PDF Page A

us, “we’d be walking into a war zone. And I don’t know if you followed the Times these last few weeks, but the Republican cause is all but lost in the west, and the Red Army is pressing hard in the east. They can’t last long. We might arrive in Irkutsk to find this Colonel Rostov dead—or worse—and ourselves an enemy of the state.”
    “Your logic, as always, is impeccable,” he said, taking the glass of brandy I offered. “Unfortunately, I don’t know that we have a choice. There are things intimated in the General’s letter that are grave indeed. I’ll need time to consider them, and I hope that you will give me your trust on this matter until I come to some conclusions.”
    It was a request that Carter had made many times in the past. I had never refused him, and I would not do so now.
    “But no matter what,” he said, his tone changing from introspection to command, “I believe we must know the truth of the rumors from Siberia, regardless of the danger. Call William. We will be needing him.”
    Less than an hour later, William strode into Carter’s office, wearing the same smile he always bore. William had the exuberance and hopefulness of youth, and these were qualities the two of us, jaded by many battles against the dark forces of the earth’s forgotten lands, sorely needed.
    I watched Carter’s eyes light up as he entered. “William,” he said, “thank you for coming on such short notice.”
    “Of course,” he said, turning to me. “Dr. Armitage, how are you tonight?”
    “Fine, as always, my boy. I believe your father-in-law has a proposal he wants to make to you.”
    “Yes,” Carter said, rising from his chair to shake the boy’s hand. “Have a seat, William, we have much to discuss.”
    “Is everything all right?” he asked, taking my seat next to the fire while I poured him a glass of brandy.
    “It seems that things are rarely all right,” Carter said. “It’s an unfortunate consequence of the knowledge we possess, but the burden must fall to someone.”
    William nodded. “Of course.” I handed him the drink and he thanked me.
    “First, I must apologize for mocking your choice to spend so much time studying Russian. We will be in need of your skills after all.”
    “We’re going to Russia?” William asked, sounding understandably confused.
    “It appears so.” Carter removed the letter from his pocket, handing it to the young man. Then we both waited as he read it. William let out a soft whistle and looked up at his father-in-law.
    “I take it you think there’s some truth to this note.”
    “I do.”
    “I also take it you’ve been following the news from the region. There’s no guarantee we’ll find a friendly welcome waiting for us. This pass from your friend might end up being our death warrant.”
    Weston nodded. “I wish I could say you were wrong. Dr. Armitage and I have discussed it, and we simply do not think we have a choice. If there is even the possibility of truth in Professor Denikin’s assessment, we must investigate. Nevertheless, I will not hold it against you if you decide to stay. This is not an assignment; it is a request. In truth, I am sure my daughter would prefer you declined.”
    William grinned. “Rachel didn’t have a choice when she became a part of this family. I did. I knew what I was getting myself into, and I wouldn’t dream of letting you go alone. I’m sure Rachel will understand.”
    For the barest second, Carter hesitated, and I even wondered if perhaps he regretted asking the young man’s assistance. He must have known as I did that William would never refuse him, no matter what the danger. But then Carter simply smiled and nodded. “Then it is settled,” he declared. “We leave tomorrow.”
     

 

Chapter 7
     
    Le Temps , Paris (translated), 1 May 1933, Front Page
     
    The denizens of Paris are living in fear today. A shocking crime of the most revolting and fiendish character that has ever taken place in France