So Pongo and Missis went into the dark barn and sniffed out their own family. Only Lucky stirred; he said he was trying to sleep with one eye open, so as to be on guard.

You close both eyes,€ said Missis firmly.

And Lucky did, quite happy now his parents were there to take charge.

What would happen if we were found here?€ asked Missis. Surely the people at the farm are kind? They wouldn’t hurt us€.

Pongo had been thinking about this. He guessed that as there had been so much in the papers about himself and Missis and their family, they might all get safely returned to the Dearlys. But the other puppies, what would happen to them? Even the dear, kind Dearlys would not take in eighty-two puppies they did not know. The poor things would be sent to a police station anything might happen to them. But if once the Dearlys saw them, then all the puppies would suddenly belong to the Dearlys just as they had suddenly seemed to belong to him, in the dark kitchen. Somehow, somehow he must get them all to London.

Missis felt just the same, but she did not see how the Cadpig and some of her sisters would make the journey.

Well, sleep now,€ said Pongo, giving her a loving lick. Are you glad you didn’t, after all, have to bite a human?

The Badduns are no more human than Cruella is,€ said Missis. Still, I’m glad I didn’t have to soil my teeth.€

They would not have fallen asleep so easily if they had known what the Sheepdog had just seen. Across the heath, lanterns were moving. The Badduns were out, searching for the missing puppies.

The Little Blue Cart

PONGO was dreaming he was back in Regent’s Park, running after a stick thrown by Mr. Dearly, when a light tap on his shoulder woke him. It was Lieutenant Willow.

The Colonel’s compliments, and would you and your lady please come to him?

Missis was sleeping peacefully. Pongo woke her gently, wondering what dream she would be leaving and if the dark barn would look as strange to her as it had to him a moment earlier. She sprang up at once, dazed and anxious.

All well,€ said the cat soothingly. Food and shelter are arranged for two days ahead. Reception for the Midnight Barking was excellent. Please follow me now.

She made no mention of the Baddun brothers with their lanterns, searching the heath.

It was still quite dark as they left the barn and crossed the farmyard. The cat led them to the back door of a large white farmhouse.

Help me to push the door,€ she said. The Colonel has unbolted it.