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Gennaro told me and showed me a 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； wild…beast eyes of his were always turned
upon me。 One night his secret came out。 I had awakened what he
called 'love' within himthe love of a brutea 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
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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 now that such an
example should be made of them 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 this 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 vengeance； 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
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The Adventure of the Red Circle
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 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； gentleman； 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 hurry； we might be in time
for the second act。〃
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