That woman!€ said Nanny Cook, who had just come out into the area. She’s enough to frighten the spots off a pup. What’s the matter, Lucky?

For Lucky had dashed into the laundry and was gulping down water. Crueila’s ear had tasted of pepper.

Every day now, the puppies grew stronger and more independent. They now fed themselves entirely, eating shredded meat as well as soaked bread and milk puddings. Missis and Perdita were quite happy to leave them now for an hour or more at a time, so the three grown-up dogs took Mrs. Dearly and Nanny Butler for a good walk in the park every morning, while Nanny Cook got the lunch and kept an eye on the puppies. One morning, when she had just let them out into the area, the front doorbell rang.

It was Cruella de Vil, and when she heard Mrs. Dearly was out she said she would come in and wait. She asked many questions about the Dearlys and the puppies and went on talking so long that at last Nanny Cook said she really must go down and let the puppies in, as a cold wind was blowing. Cruella then said she would walk in the park and hope to meet Mrs. Dearly. Perhaps I can see her from here,€ she said, strolling to the window.

Nanny Cook also went to the window, intending to point out the nearest way into the park. As she did so, she noticed a small black van standing in front of the house. At that very moment it drove off at a great pace.

Cruella suddenly seemed in a hurry. She almost ran out of the house and down the front-door steps.

Can’t think how she can move so fast, huddled in all those furs,€ thought Nanny Cook, closing the front door. And those poor pups, in only their own thin little skins, catching their death of cold.€

She hurried down to the kitchen and opened the door to the area.

Not a pup was in sight.

They’re playing me a trick. They’re hiding,€ Nanny Cook told herself. But she knew there was nowhere for fifteen puppies to hide. All the same, she looked behind every tub of shrubs where not even a mouse could have hidden. The gate at the top of the steps was firmly closed and no pup could possibly have opened it. Still, she ran up to the street and searched wildly.

They’ve been stolen, I know they have!€ she moaned, bursting into tears. They must have been in that black van I saw driving away.€

Cruella de Vil seemed to have changed her mind about going into the park. She was already halfway back to her own house, walking very fast indeed.

Hark, Hark, the Dogs Do Bark!