Red Shadow Read Free

the hand which Laura had not extended.
    She kept her eyes on his face and repeated on a hurrying breath,
    â€œWhat is it, Mr Stevens?”
    Perhaps he had not expected this ready alarm. Perhaps the wedding dress and veil, which she had forgotten, were not without their effect upon him. He was, for the moment, silent; and in that moment Laura came nearer and laid a hand upon his arm.
    â€œMr Stevens—is it anything about Jim?”
    Basil Stevens recovered himself. He said,
    â€œI think we had better sit down.”
    Laura took the chair which he offered her. She was glad of it, because, when he did not answer her question, she had felt the floor move under her feet. She sank down into the chair and said piteously,
    â€œIs it Jim? Won’t you tell me? I’d rather—know—” And there she stopped, because some bottomless pit seemed to open as she said the words, and out of it there came up the shadows of the things that she might have to know—Jim ill—Jim dying—Jim dead..…
    Basil Stevens saw the last of her colour drain away. She had been pale and startled when she came into the room, but now even her lips were white. He had no wish to have her fainting on his hands. He said sharply,
    â€œMackenzie’s alive and well.”
    The change came so quickly to her face that it astounded him. Colour and life rushed back to it. She closed her eyes for a moment, and then looked at him with a kind of gentle reproach.
    â€œYou frightened me dreadfully.”
    â€œI’m sorry—I had no wish to frighten you. May I ask when you last heard from Mackenzie?”
    â€œI haven’t had a letter since Saturday.”
    â€œAnd this is Wednesday.”
    Laura smiled a little tremulously. Relief had deadened her perceptions.
    â€œYes—but he may be home to-morrow. I don’t think he will, but it’s just possible, and he said I could count on Friday.”
    â€œI’m afraid you mustn’t count on anything.”
    Laura’s head lifted. She could be angry now. How really impertinent of him to be talking like this!
    â€œWill you tell me what you mean, Mr Stevens?”
    â€œI am going to tell you. I am afraid you must not count upon Mackenzie’s return. It is unfortunate that he should have allowed himself to become involved in a political difficulty.”
    â€œI don’t understand what you mean,” said Laura.
    â€œI will explain. Mackenzie was arrested a week ago.”
    Laura turned startled eyes upon him. They were not terrified yet, but somewhere under the surface terror stirred. She repeated his word under her breath.
    â€œArrested——”
    Basil Stevens said, “Yes,” and waited.
    â€œBut why?”
    He could only just hear the question.
    â€œI am afraid he has been extremely imprudent. Imprudence is a very dangerous complaint in Russia just now.”
    â€œWhere is he?” said Laura.
    â€œIn prison.”
    â€œBut they can’t! He’s a British subject—they can’t do anything to him!”
    â€œThey can shoot him,” said Basil Stevens.
    Laura thrust away the terror that had come nearer.
    â€œ A British subject —” she said.
    â€œIn Russia he is not considered to be a British subject. I am afraid you must face the fact that he is in an extremely dangerous position. He is, in fact, under sentence of death.”
    Laura said, “ No! ”
    She heard her own voice saying it. The sound seemed to fill the room. Then she heard Basil Stevens say,
    â€œI am afraid it is a shock. If you are to help him, you must believe me.”
    Sensitive people very often have a great deal of courage. Laura called on hers. The words “If you are to help him,” spurred it. She said,
    â€œHow can I?” And then quickly, “How do you know ?”
    He was ready for this.
    â€œI will tell you in a minute. But I should like first to ask you a question. I should like to