Alan (the Lone Librarian) Teder’s Reviews > Postern of Fate > Status Update

“La Reine le veult,” said Tommy and bowed to his daughter, who always considered that giving the Royal assent in the family was her perquisite.

“Four great gates has the City of Damascus . . . Postern of Fate—the Desert Gate . . . Pass not beneath, O Caravan—or pass not singing. Have you heard that silence where the birds are dead, yet something pipeth like a bird?”

Words of a quotation came into his mind, and he spoke them aloud: “Postern of Fate. . . . Pass not beneath, O Caravan, or pass not singing. Have you heard That silence where the birds are dead, yet something pipeth like a bird?”
Miss Collodon responded immediately, giving Tommy quite a shock of surprise. “Flecker,” she said. “Flecker. It goes on: ‘Death’s Caravan . . . Disaster’s Cavern, Fort of Fear.’ ”

“I never know what you’re up to, Tuppence, but I know the look in your eye when you are up to something.”

“Look here, Tuppence,” said Tommy, “you’re not going to get a thing about this, are you?”
“What do you mean, a thing, about this?”
“Well, I mean working up a sort of mystery.”
“Well, it’s a mystery to me,” said Tuppence.