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summons which he had received that very day； a Red Circle drawn upon
the head of it telling him that a lodge would be held upon a certain
date； and that his presence at it was required and ordered。
〃That was bad enough； but worse was to come。 I had noticed for
some time that when Gorgiano came to us； as he constantly did； in
the evening； he spoke much to me； and even when his words were to my
husband those terrible； glaring； wildbeast eyes of his were always
turned upon me。 One night his secret came out。 I had awakened what
he called 'love' within him… the love of a brute… a savage。 Gennaro
had not yet returned when he came。 He pushed his way in； seized me
in his mighty arms； hugged me in his bear's embrace； covered me with
kisses； and implored me to come away with him。 I was struggling and
screaming when Gennaro entered and attacked him。 He struck Gennaro
senseless and fled from the house which he was never more to enter。 It
was a deadly enemy that we made that night。
〃A few days later came the meeting。 Gennaro returned from it with
a face which told me that something dreadful had occurred。 It was
worse than we could have imagined possible。 The funds of the society
were raised by blackmailing rich Italians and threatening them with
violence should they refuse the money。 It seems that Castalotte； our
dear friend and benefactor； had been approached。 He had refused to
yield to threats； and he had handed the notices to the police。 It
was resolved how that such an example should be made of him as would
prevent any other victim； from rebelling。 At the meeting it was
arranged that he and his house should be blown up with dynamite。 There
was a drawing of lots as to who should carry out the deed。 Gennaro saw
our enemy's cruel face； smiling at him as he dipped his hand in the
bag。 No doubt it had been prearranged in some fashion； for it was
the fatal disc with the Red Circle upon it； the mandate for murder；
which lay upon his palm。 He was to kill his best friend； or he was
to expose himself and me to the vengeance of his comrades。 It was part
of their fiendish system to punish those whom they feared or hated
by injuring not only their own persons but those whom they loved；
and it was the knowledge of this which hung as a terror over my poor
Gennaro's head and drove him nearly crazy with apprehension。
〃All that night we sat together； our arms round each other； each
strengthening each for the troubles that lay before us。 The very
next evening had been fixed for the attempt。 By midday my husband
and I were on our way to London； but not before he had given our
benefactor full warning of his danger； and had also left such
information for the police as would safeguard his life for the future。
〃The rest； gentlemen； you know for yourselves。 We were sure that our
enemies would be behind us like our own shadows。 Gorgiano had his
private reasons for vengence； but in any case we knew how ruthless；
cunning； and untiring he could be。 Both Italy and America are full
of stories of his dreadful powers。 If ever they were exerted it
would be now。 My darling made use of the few clear days which our
start had given us in arranging for a refuge for me in such a
fashion that no possible danger could reach me。 For his own part； he
wished to be free that he might communicate both with the American and
with the Italian police。 I do not myself know where he lived； or
how。 All that I learned was through the columns of a newspaper。 But
once as I looked through my window； I saw two Italians watching the
house； and I understood that in some way Gorgiano had found out our
retreat。 Finally Gennaro told me； through the paper； that he would
signal to me from a certain window； but when the signals came they
were nothing but warnings； which were suddenly interrupted。 It is very
clear to me now that he knew Gorgiano to be close upon him； and
that； thank God！ he was ready for him when he came。 And now；
gentlemen； I would ask you whether we have anything to fear from the
law； or whether any judge upon earth would condemn my Gennaro for what
he has done？〃
〃Well； Mr。 Gregson；〃 said the American； looking across at the
official； 〃I don't know what your British point of view may be； but
I guess that in New York this lady's husband will receive a pretty
general vote of thanks。〃
〃She will have to come with me and see the chief；〃 Gregson answered。
〃If what she says is corroborated； I do not think she or her husband
has much to fear。 But what I can't make head or tail of； Mr。 Holmes；
is how on earth you got yourself mixed up in the matter。〃
〃Education； Gregson； education。 Still seeking knowledge at the old
university。 Well； Watson； you have one more specimen of the tragic and
grotesque to add to your collection。 By the way； it is not eight
o'clock； and a Wagner night at Covent Garden！ If we burry； we might be
in time for the second act。〃
…THE END…
。