Last chapter. :D Enjoy!

Tintin explored the second floor of the empty house, searching all the rooms. He could see why it was empty; the paint on the walls was peeling, the floorboards were creaky, and weak; spiders turned this into their home, and the occasional rat ran underfoot. Tintin wanted to find Snowy and get out of there as fast as he could. Then he decided they must be in the attic, so went up the steps to the top floor.

He saw another man, shorter than Walters, hunching over something. The something was white, fluffy, and very still. Tintin gasped, and then clamped his hand over his mouth, hoping the man didn't hear. He didn't seem to, so Tintin silently crept up behind him, and jumped onto his back, taking him by surprise – an advantage for Tintin.

"Why, you little-" Dunham didn't get a chance to finish before Tintin had grabbed a chair, and hit him over the head with it, knocking him out cold.

"Snowy!" Tintin called, dropping the chair, and rushing up to the little dog. Snowy tried to bark, but he was tied and gagged. Tintin undid the ropes, and scooped him up, holding him close.

"Oh, Snowy," Tintin said softly, stroking his fur. "I'm so glad you're safe." He headed towards the attic stairs, when the weak floorboards gave way under him, and he fell to the second floor, dropping Snowy.

"This is house isn't safe," he groaned, standing up. "Snowy? Where did you go?"

"Whoa!" Snowy barked, limping towards him.

"Oh, Snowy, did you hurt yourself?" Tintin asked, bending to inspect his left front paw. "It must have been when we fell." He picked him up again, and quickly exited the house. Captain Haddock was waiting for him outside.

"You found Snowy!" he cried happily.

"Call the police, Captain," Tintin told him. "I need to take Snowy to get something to eat and have a bath."

"I think you both need one," Haddock said. He was right; both Tintin and Snowy were covered in dust and rubble.

"Tell the police there are two men in that house that need to be taken to prison," Tintin instructed. Haddock nodded, and ran to a nearby payphone. Tintin took Snowy to the hotel across the street.

After everyone was cleaned, fed, and had a good night's sleep, Tintin and Haddock took Snowy and Bella to Edda and Carlotta's house. When Edda answered the door, she smiled to see Snowy back with his proper owner.

"We came to thank you for your help," Tintin told her.

"You're very welcome," Edda replied. "Won't you come in?"

"Thank you, no," Tintin declined, holding up a hand. "We want to get back home to Belgium as soon as possible."

"I understand," Edda said.

"Goodbye, now," Tintin said, as they turned to leave.

"Goodbye," Edda replied. Then she looked down at Snowy, who stood gazing up at her as if saying thank you.

She crouched next to him and stroked his ears. Haddock watched this, and got an idea.

"Er, Miss Marino?" he said.

"Yes?"

"You seem to really like animals; so I was thinking…"

"Yes?" Edda was getting curious.

"Would you like to have Bella?" The pup, hearing her name, looked up from the spider she was sniffing, and wagged her tail. Edda gazed at her, and smiled.

"She's adorable," she said. "But are you sure?"

"Oh, yes, I'm sure," Haddock confirmed. He picked up the pup, and handed her to Edda. Edda took the wriggly bundle of fur, and snuggled it.

"Thank you, so much, sir," she said. Haddock gave a stiff nod, and turned to follow Tintin.

"Who was that, Edda?" Carlotta asked.

"Mr. Tintin," Edda replied, shutting the door. "They came to say thank you."

"How nice," Carlotta nodded. "What's that you got?"

"Their thank you present." Edda turned around to show Carlotta the little dog, which seemed to smile up at her, her tongue hanging out.

"Edda…" Carlotta began, warningly.

"I will look after her. I'll take great care of her, and clean up her messes." Carlotta smiled, shaking her head. Edda loved animals too much for her own good.

Tintin and Haddock drove most of the way on their return journey home, only stopping for meals, or to spend the night somewhere, and to take the car back to the rental place. The man didn't seem too upset about the dent, but Tintin and Haddock said they'd pay for the damage, to which he agreed. Then they took the train back the rest of the way, and soon they were relaxing in the sitting room of Marlinspike Hall.

Snowy sat on the rug at Tintin's feet, chewing on a bone. The reunion wasn't quite what he imagined, but it was nice to be home again... And Haddock did sneak him a drop of whiskey. He was warm and comfy sleeping at Tintin's feet that night. It was much better than sleeping under trees, or cars – which sometimes drove off in the middle of the night, and wake him up. The next day, everything seemed perfectly normal; as if nothing had happened, and Snowy thought of the possibility it could have been a horrible dream, and, in fact, he almost believed that's what it was – except for one detail; the smell of puppy stinking up the house. How he wished the Captain never got Bella!

Please review! :D