Read "The Man and His Kingdom" by E. Phillips Oppenheim online for free on Textopian. Full text with search, annotations, highlights, and AI-powered reading aids.
The path which led from the prison down into the town curled round and round in corkscrew fashion above the seat on which Dene had been sitting. He stood up and listened. Light, flying footsteps were coming towards him, followed close behind by heavier ones. Wonderfully light footsteps they were for a man's, Dene thought, as he moved a little on one side to let the chase go by him, and listened to their flying beat.
It must be a boy who was the fugitive. Nearer and nearer they came; at every stride the pursuer seemed to be gaining ground. The capture would probably take place within a few yards of him. Dene glanced down towards the town. So far all was still. There was no hope for the runaway from there, if his captor felt in the mood for summary vengeance. At that moment Dene was not sure whether he meant to interfere or not.