I may as well add here that Hogan was duly tried, and sentenced to a term of years in the State’s prison.
Thus it happened that Andy was considerably later than he anticipated when he reached Hamilton on his return. During his absence his mother had received a letter which was of considerable importance.
CHAPTER XXII.
AN IMPORTANT PROPOSAL.
When Mrs. Gordon heard of Andy’s adventures during his ride to and from Cranston, she was naturally frightened.
“Oh, Andy!” she said, “I can’t consent to your exposing yourself to be injured by such wicked men. You must tell the Peabody girls you can’t go to the bank for them again.”
“I don’t think there’ll be any danger, mother, for we have caught the chief burglar, and the other man has run away.”
“There may be more of them,” said Mrs. Gordon, apprehensively.
“Bring them along!” replied Andy, smiling. “I am ready for them!”
“I hope we shall never have another of those terrible men visit our village!” said his mother, with a shudder.