Red Shadow Read Online Free PDF Page B

dead, courage takes its place.
    Laura folded her hands in her lap. She sat up straight and pale, and said what she had to say in a quiet voice that no longer shook.
    â€œIf I do what you want, I have got to be sure about Jim. You can’t expect me to trust you.” She used no sarcasm; it was a mere statement of fact.
    She was recollecting a terrible little story of the French Revolution read years ago in some forgotten book of memoirs. There was a girl who had sold herself to one of the Terrorists to save the father whom she adored, and when she had made her sacrifice she was shown his head. Laura’s mind was cold and clear. There should be none of that.
    Basil Stevens had stopped laughing.
    â€œNow we talk business!” he said, and took a chair.
    â€œI must know that Jim is safe before I do anything,” said Laura.
    â€œMy dear Miss Cameron—be reasonable! When Mackenzie is safe, how do we know what you may do?”
    Laura took him up with a quickness he had not expected.
    â€œAnd when I have done what you want, how do I know that he will be safe? You might come to me and say that there has been an accident—that you were too late. No! I don’t trust you—you can’t expect me to trust you!”
    Basil Stevens had resumed that reasonable, formal manner of his.
    â€œIf you think, you will see that you can trust us. The marriage is only the first step. In itself, it does not help us at all. You trust us by taking the first step—then we trust you, because we release Mackenzie. It will be some months before we reap any real advantage, because it will be some months before Mr Hallingdon’s will is proved and you can obtain any effective control of his affairs.”
    â€œHow do I know that you will release Jim? I won’t trust you!” she said.
    Vassili Stefanoff emerged with sudden violence.
    â€œYou will, and you won’t! You bargain—you make terms! You do not trust! Do you think it is for you to make terms like that? You may be thankful if you get Mackenzie’s life! I say you may be thankful!”
    When he shouted at her, Laura’s resolve hardened.
    â€œI shall be thankful when he is safe,” she said. “I won’t do anything till he’s safe. I’ve got to know that he’s safe before I do anything.”
    â€œYou propose that he shall be a witness to the marriage, perhaps!”
    Her pallor and her calm were unbroken. She said quite gently, “You mustn’t speak to me like that.” And then, “I have thought of a way.”
    â€œWell—what is it?”
    â€œHe must be out of Russia before I do anything. If he was in Germany, I should know he was safe. He could telephone to me from Berlin—he has done it before. When I have spoken to him—when I am sure that he is safe—I will do what you want.”
    â€œAnd be made fools of? That’s a very nice plan—for you!”
    â€œNo,” said Laura. “I’ll keep my word—when he’s safe.”
    There was a curious silence. Laura was aware of a pressure, an insistence, but it was outside the walls of her mind. She was aware of it only as an outside thing. It had not the slightest power to touch her thought or turn her purpose.
    All at once Vassili Stefanoff sprang up.
    â€œYou will swear to go through with the marriage?”
    â€œI’ll give you my word.”
    He made a quick gesture.
    â€œYou will swear? What is there that is sacred to you? Are you religious? Have you a Bible?”
    â€œIf I give you my word, I shall keep it.”
    â€œOh, naturally you do not wish to take an oath. But you will take one!”
    â€œIf you like,” said Laura—“it makes no difference.”
    She got up, went into the bedroom, and came back with her Bible in her hand. Her silver train whispered behind her. The folds of her veil fell all about her as she put the book into his hand.
    â€œWhat do you want