It was almost dark now. And the Dearlys were suggesting very gently that they should be taken home. So after a few last words with the Great Dane, Pongo and Missis led the way down Primrose Hill. The dogs who had answered them were silent now, but the Twilight Barking was spreading in an ever-widening circle. And tonight it would not end with twilight. It would go on and on as the moon rose high over England.

The next day a great many people who had read Mr. Dearly’s advertisements rang up to sympathize. (Cruella de Vil did, and seemed most upset when she was told the puppies had been stolen while she was talking to Nanny Cook). But no one had anything helpful to say. And Scotland Yard was Frankly Baffled. So it was another sad, sad day for the Dearlys, the Nannies, and the dogs.

Just before dusk, Pongo and Missis again showed that they wished to take the Dearlys for a walk. So off they started, and again the dogs led the way to the top of Primrose Hill. And again they stood side by side and gave three sharp barks. But this time, though no human ear could have detected it, they were slightly different barks. And they meant, not Help! Help! Help! €but Ready! Ready! Ready!

The dogs who had collected news from all over London replied first. Reports had come in from the West End and the East End and south of the Thames. And all these reports were the same.

Calling Pongo and Missis Pongo of Regent’s Park. No news of your puppies. Deepest regrets. End of message.€

Poor Missis! She had hoped so much that her pups were still in London. Pongo’s secret suspicion had led him to pin his hopes to news from the country. And soon it was pouring in some of it relayed across London. But it was always the same.

Calling Pongo and Missis Pongo of Regent’s Park. No news of your puppies. Deepest regrets. End of message.€

Again and again Pongo and Missis barked the Ready!€ signal, each time with fresh hope. Again and again came bitter disapointment. At last only the Great Dane over towards Hampstead remained to be heard from. They signalled to him their last hope!

Back came his booming bark.

Calling Pongo and Missis Pongo of Regent’s Park. No news of your puppies. Deepest regrets. End of.

The Great Dane stopped in mid-bark. A second later he barked again. Wait! Wait Wait!€

Dead still, their hearts thumping, Pongo and Missis waited. They waited so long that Mr. Dearly put his hand on Pongo’s head and said, What about coming home, boy?€ For the first time in his life, Pongo jerked his head from Mr. Dearly’s hand, then went on standing stock still. And at last the Great Dane spoke again, booming triumphantly through the fast gathering dusk.