create an ‘Ad-hoc Connection’ on the laptop and put the files in a shared folder. Enable folder Sharing on the laptop. Connect to the Ad-hoc network through the iPad’s Wifi connection, and retreive the files from the Shared folder.
You can also connect the laptop to a router and assign it an ip address, then install an FTP Server software on the laptop and access the files via wifi from the iPad.
Note that WiFi doesn't always mean internet.