Sercomb had nothing to say. He heard everything but preserved a sullen silence.
"What's more," pursued the colonel, "I know that you tricked King, through Slocum, into signing a paper he never would have signed if he had known what he was doing; and through that same paper you tricked me."
"You've been listening to King's side of the story," growled Sercomb.
"More than that," went on the colonel relentlessly, "by your vile tactics, again using Slocum as your tool, you drugged King and sent him away——"
"That's false!" stormed Sercomb.
"Don't lie," answered Plympton sternly. "Have strength of character enough to face the music. You've brought this on yourself and you'll have to bear it. Slocum is in jail, and he has made a confession."
Sercomb gasped and his face turned gray.
"Then—then I suppose you're—you're done with me?" he faltered.
"Yes, you've guessed right, Sercomb. Stark-Frisbie are done with you, but the law is not."
As he finished, Plympton stepped back and motioned to a man who was standing near. The latter pushed forward and laid a hand on Sercomb's shoulder.