Everyone waited to hear Badger's secret.
"There is a tunnel," said Badger.
"It leads from the riverbank to Toad Hall."
"That's not true!" said Toad.
"I know Toad Hall!
There's no tunnel."
Badger looked very serious.
"Toad," said Badger, "I knew your father well.
Your father found the tunnel long ago.
He told me not to tell you.
He knew you could not keep a secret."
"That's true," said Toad, turning red.
Then Badger told them some news.
"Yesterday Otter went to Toad Hall.
He pretended to be a house cleaner," said Badger.
"I'll bet the ferrets laughed at him," said Rat.
"They did," said Badger.
"But they also told him about a party."
"What?" said Mole.
"It's true," said Badger.
"Tomorrow is the Chief Weasel's birthday."
"The weasels will be in the dining hall!" cried Toad.
"They will all be eating and drinking."
"And they won't have guns or clubs," said Badger.
"But the ferrets will be on guard!" said Rat.
"The ferrets will never see us," said Badger.
"The tunnel leads right into the broom closet."
"We'll creep out," said Mole.
"With our swords and guns," said Rat.
"And smash them!" cried Toad.