The Deeps

"So you're telling me there's an endless supply of moles coming from somewhere deep beneath my yard?"

The mole fidgeted, rubbing his forepaws together and blinking. "Moles, sir, yes, among... others."

"And I can't close it off... why?"

"It would give away the secret, sir.


"Secrets" I scoffed. "Buried treasure or whatever else is down there? Some kind of magical doohickey that makes animals talk?"

The mole widened its pinprick eyes. "Oh, sir, no, you misunderstand. It's not that surface-walkers aren't allowed down; it's the others who can't be allowed to know."

"Know what?"

"That there's anything here worth taking."