At last Sir Charles rose stiffly, put another log on the fire, and then settled back in his chair and closed his eyes. Soon he was asleep, and the Spaniel beckoned Pongo and Missis to the fire. They sat on the warm hearth and looked up at the old gentleman. His face was deeply lined and all the lines drooped, and somehow he had a look of the Spaniel or the Spaniel had a look of Sir Charles. Both of them were lit by the firelight, and beyond them was the great window, now blue with evening.

We ought to be on our way, whispered Pongo to Missis. But it was so warm, so quiet, and they were both so full of buttered toast that they drifted into a light and delightful sleep.

Pongo awoke with a start. Surely someone had spoken his name?

The fire was no longer blazing brightly, but there was still enough light to see that the old gentleman was awake and leaning forward.

Well, if that isn’t Pongo and his missis,€ he murmured smilingly. Well, Well! What a pleasure! What a pleasure!

Missis had opened her eyes now.

The Spaniel whispered, Don’t move, either of you.€

Can you see them?€ said the old gentleman, putting his hand on the Spaniel’s head. If you can, don’t be frightened. They won’t hurt you. You’d have liked them. Let’s see, they must have died fifty years before you were born more than that. They were the first dogs I ever knew. I used to ask my mother to stop the carriage and let them get inside I couldn’t bear to see them running behind. So in the end, they just became house dogs. How often they sat there in the firelight. Hey, you two! If dogs can come back, why haven’t you come back before?

Then Pongo knew that Sir Charles thought they were ghost dogs. And he remembered that Mr. Dearly had named him Pongo€ because it was a name given to many Dalmatians of those earlier days when they ran behind carriages. Sir Charles had taken him and Missis for Dalmatians he had known in his childhood.

Probably my fault,€ the old gentleman went on. I've never been what they call psychic' nowadays. This house is supposed to be full of ghosts, but I’ve never seen any. I dare say I’m only seeing you because I’m pretty close to the edge now and quite time, too. I’m more than ready. Well, what a joy to know that dogs go on too I’ve always hoped it. Good news for you too, my boy.€ He fondled the Spaniel’s ears. Well, Pongo and his pretty wife, after all these years! Can’t see you so well now, but I shall remember!€