"My master often received very queer visitors," said Folcker. "Once he entertained two very strange-looking shabby individuals when he was at Aix-les-Bains with Mr. De Gex." "With Mr. De Gex!" I echoed. "Was the Baron a friend of his?" "Yes, an intimate friend. They often had big deals together in which Count Chamartin, who lived in Madrid, participated." "Ah! That is distinctly interesting," I said. "Did the Baron, when in London, visit Mr. De Gex at Stretton Street?" "Frequently. They were mutually interested in the great Netherlands Shipping Combine about a year ago," replied the valet. "And you usually travelled with your master, I suppose?" "Nearly always. We were frequently in Paris, Berlin, Rome, or Madrid, and naturally I learnt a good deal about his business. His most intimate friend was Mr. De Gex. Do you happen to know him?" I gritted my teeth, and replied in the affirmative. "A very charming man," the valet declared. "He was always very good to the servants. I used to look after him when he visited us here in Amsterdam." "Did you ever meet a friend of his--a Frenchman named Suzor?" I asked. "Yes, once. When we stayed with Mr. De Gex at Florence. He was a fellow guest with my master." "And an Italian doctor named Moroni?" Folcker shook his head, as he replied: "I have no recollection of an Italian doctor. We were in Florence only two weeks." "Of course you know Mr. De Gex's butler, a man named Horton?" I asked. "No, the man I know is named Farmer. I haven't been to Stretton Street for over a year." It would therefore appear that Horton was a new servant. "But have you any idea how your master died?" was my next query. "None--only something tells me that he fell victim to a plot for his assassination." "Why?" "Because he more than once told me that if he died certain persons would derive great benefits." "Who? His friends?" "I suppose so." "Including De Gex?" The thin-faced man shook his head, saying: "Ah! That I cannot tell, sir. But I know that Mr. De Gex owed the Baron a very considerable sum over a financial deal regarding some oil wells in Roumania. Only a few months ago he mentioned to Mr. Grant, one of his friends, in my presence, that he hoped De Gex would very soon settle with him. In fact he seemed annoyed at the delay in the payment." This statement caused me to reflect deeply. Was it really possible that the Dutch Baron's death had been due to the machinations of this mystery-man of Europe? The fact that he owed the dead man money would serve as sufficient motive! I did not overlook the deeply-laid plot against myself, one that must have sent me swiftly into my grave had it not been for my providential escape.