Blood Red, Snow White (24 page)

He seems to have persuaded the Legation that he has changed his views to some extent but this is certainly not the case. He claims, as has already been reported to you, to be the official historian of the Bolshevik movement. I suppose this is true, at all events it is true that he is living here with a lady who was previously Trotsky’s private secretary, that he spends the greater part of his time in the Bolshevik Legation, where he is provided with a room and a typewriter, and that he is very nervous as to the effect which his present activities may have upon his prospects in England.

I also know that he had informed two Russians that I, personally, am an agent of the British Government, and said that he had this information from authoritative sources, both British and Bolshevik.

He seems therefore to be working pretty definitely against us.

ENDS

SECRET

M.I.5

29th October 1918

RANSOME, Arthur

Ref. B/02277, dated 25-9-18

I sent you then CX.050167, (P/F. 84 Stockholm, dated 12-9-18).

Our political section has from the same agent a later report written to correct the P/F. 84. In this it is stated that Ransome seems to have been quite badly handled, that he is quite loyal and willing to help by giving information, and that the appearance of working against us is due to his friendship with the Bolshevik leaders, not by any means to any sympathy with the regime, which the Terror has made him detest.

We expect to get a lot of most valuable stuff from him and it is hoped that you will see your way, so to speak, to leave him alone for a bit and give him a chance. Mr. Lockhart has an extremely good opinion, and has strongly recommended Stockholm to make use of him.

Major, M.I.1.c

SECRET

P.P.459/M.I.5.E.1.

The following is a list of 13 Russian Bolsheviks with their descriptions and photographs, who are operating in Stockholm. They are probably going to be compelled to leave Sweden by the Swedish Government.

None of them are to have visas for, or to land in, the United Kingdom.

Vorovsky, Vatslav, Russian, Stockholm. Long black hair, brushed back; straight nose; full beard and moustache; sharp black eyes, about 42–45 years.

Litvinov, Maxim, Russian, Stockholm. Smooth shaven, dark hair, disheveled, brushed back, wears pince-nez, thick set.

Sepp, Otto, Russian, Stockholm. Closely cropped hair; small moustache; energetic-looking face with fanatic look in the eyes.

Ransome, Arthur, British, Stockholm. Hair parted on left side; narrow, shrewd eyes; wears pince-nez.

London

17th March 1919

Memo from S8 regarding Arthur Ransome (S76)

I do not think that, pending investigation, much credence should be attached to the various reports which have been made regarding any definite activities which S76 is alleged to have engaged in on behalf of the Bolsheviks.

I have not had the opportunity of questioning him personally regarding the earlier statement that he carried a large quantity of Roubles out of Russia for the Bolsheviks, but from everything I know of the nature of his relations with the Bolsehviks, I think it impossible in the extreme that he ever did anything of the kind consciously.

I would suggest that he be allowed to enter England without any difficulties or any suggestions that he is regarded as a suspicious person.

S8

Copies to M.I.5

D.C.I.

SECRET

PF. R.301/M.I.5.E.1.

18th December 1918

RANSOME, Arthur

Reference PF.R.301 of 8/11/18

The above will shortly be arriving from Stockholm. We have received the following regarding him:

[blank passage]

There is of course no objection to an ordinary search when he arrives. We cannot guarantee him, but, it is suggested that there is no fear of him bringing in secret ink, so that the more trying methods might be omitted.

For information.

Captain

Copies to:-Aberdeen. Newcastle.

SECRET

Arthur RANSOME

Arthur Ransome arrived in England 3 days ago. He was expelled from Sweden by the Government on account of his Bolshevist activities, and with the Bolshevist Legation to Sweden (Vorovsky and Litvinoff (formerly of London), which was expelled at the same time, returned to Moscow with his mistress in January 1919.

M.I. thought his opinions were all camouflage. Our evidence goes all the way to prove that it was not so.

R was in Moscow until 20th January this year, with his mistress, with whom he has been living since December 1917, a Russian Jewess, who, when R was in Moscow at the earlier date had been put on him to complete the “catch” of this useful foreign correspondent, by Trotzky, whose secretary she was!

R reached the country and landed unhindered. The following questions seem pertinent:

Was Arthur Ransome searched when he arrived in this country?

What messages and letters did he bring from Bolshevik HQ Moscow to this country? And to whom were they delivered?

Telegram

W.O. No. 02501

eighteenth on special request British Consul Ransome received Visa Swedish Legation extraquick time STOP Ransome’s character should be known London undoubtedly capable dangerous agent

ALSO BY
MARCUS SEDGWICK

The Ghosts of Heaven

Midwinterblood

Revolver

She Is Not Invisible

White Crow

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Marcus Sedgwick
was born and raised in Kent in South East England, but now lives in the French Alps. His books have won and been shortlisted for many awards; most notably, he has been shortlisted for Britain’s Carnegie Medal six times, has received two Printz Honors, for
Revolver
and
Ghosts of Heaven
, and in 2013 won the Printz Award for
Midwinterblood
. You can sign up for email updates
here
.

Thank you for buying this

Roaring Brook Press ebook.

To receive special offers, bonus content,

and info on new releases and other great reads,

sign up for our newsletters.

Or visit us online at

us.macmillan.com/newslettersignup

For email updates on the author, click
here
.

Text copyright © 2007 by Marcus Sedgwick

Published by Roaring Brook Press

Roaring Brook Press is a division of Holtzbrinck Publishing Holdings Limited Partnership

175 Fifth Avenue, New York, New York 10010

fiercereads.com

First published in the United Kingdom in 2007 by Orion Children’s Books, London

All rights reserved

The Library of Congress has cataloged the print edition as follows

Names: Sedgwick, Marcus, author.

Title: Blood Red snow White / Marcus Sedgwick.

Description: First edition. | New York: Roaring Brook Press, [2016] | First published in Great Britain in 2007. | Summary: “A novel based on the life of children’s book author Arthur Ransome, who left his home, his wife, and daughter and fell in love with Russia and a Russian woman and was suspected, by both sides, of being a spy”—Provided by publisher. Includes timeline, historical notes, and selected writings of Ransome.

Identifiers: LCCN 2015034428 | ISBN 9781626725478 (hardback) | ISBN 9781626725485 (ebook)

Subjects: LCSH: Ransome, Arthur, 1884–1967—Juvenile fiction. | CYAC: Ransome, Arthur, 1884–1967—Fiction. | Authors—Fiction. | Love—Fiction. | Fairy tales—Fiction. | Soviet Union—History—Revolution, 1917–1921—Fiction. | BISAC: JUVENILE FICTION / Love & Romance. | JUVENILE FICTION / Historical / Europe. | JUVENILE FICTION / Action & Adventure / General.

Classification: LCC PZ7.S4484 Blo 2016 | DDC [Fic]—dc23

LC record available
athttps://lccn.loc.gov/2015034428

Our eBooks may be purchased in bulk for promotional, educational, or business use. Please contact the Macmillan Corporate and Premium Sales Department at (800) 221-7945 ext. 5442 or by e-mail at
[email protected]
.