Possible Clues:

• Mineral from old Roman watering-hole
• Can brain make up this red mineral?
• Heavy reddish mineral
• Red mineral, mercury sulphide
• Red stuff beginning to cover area in two taverns
• A mineral, sulphide of mercury, called vermilion when used as a pigment
• Cold area between two hostelries in the shade
• Reprobate, said to go to pub, becoming bright red
• Common ore of mercury
• Vermilion-coloured crab wandering around island, attracting news article