Cruella’s nearly here,€ said Lucky.

We must make sure she’s gone indoors before we march on,€ said Pongo, and he ran into the narrow passage that led to the Outer Circle.

Missis ran after him. Be careful, Pongo! She’ll see you!

Not in this dark passage,€ said Pongo.

The striped car went by the end of the passage. A light was on inside, and they could see Cruella clearly.

Oh, Pongo!€ wailed Missis. She’s still got her absolutely simple white mink cloak.€

Pongo ran on towards the Outer Circle, and Missis ran after him. Cautiously they peered out of the passage and saw the striped car stop in front of the de Vils' house. Mr. de Vil, who had been driving, helped Cruella out and then went up the front-door steps. He started to search for his latchkey. Cruella stood waiting, with the cloak hanging loosely round her shoulders.

I shan’t sleep if she keeps that cloak,€ said Missis.

And you need your sleep, Missis,€ said Pongo.

The same idea had come to both of them. The cloak hung so loosely, so temptingly! And the relief of getting the pups safely out of the house had made them feel daring. Pongo was happy to see his dear wife looking as mischievous as a puppy.

She’ll never recognize us now we’re black,€ he said. Let’s risk it! Now!€

They dashed towards Cruella and seized the hem of the cloak. It slipped from her shoulders quite easily and fell on top of Pongo and Missis. Blindly they hurled themselves along the Outer Circle, with the cloak spread out over them and looking as if it were runing by itself. Cruella screamed. It’s bewitched! Go after it quick!

No fear!€ said Mr. de Vil. I think an ancestor of yours is running away with it. You’d better come indoors.€

The next moment, he and Cruella started to cough violently. For as they opened the front door they were met by a choking cloud of fur.

Somehow Pongo and Missis found their way to the passage, where they came from under the cloak and dragged it to the mews. Here the pups pounced on it. And that was the end of the absolutely simple white mink cloak.

Lights were now flashing on all over the de Vils' house, and Cruella could be heard shrieking with rage.

This is where we march home quickly,€ said Pongo.

Suddenly all her high spirits deserted Missis. Home! But would they be allowed into their home? All her fears came back.

Now they were marching along the Outer Circle again. And now they could see the Dearlys' house ahead of them.

There were lights in the drawing-room window.

Mr. and Mrs. Dearly haven’t gone to bed yet,€ said Pongo.

Lights were shining up from the kitchen.