Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy by John le Carré Page B

account of his apparent insignificance, such as standing with women behind the bar at functions, by right he was a great man, the secret assistant to Colonel Gregor Viktorov, whose workname at the Embassy is Polyakov.’ ”
    Here Smiley made his one interjection, asking for the spelling. Like an actor disturbed in midflow, Tarr answered rudely, “P-o-l-y-a-k-o-v, got it?”
    “Thank you,” said Smiley with unshakeable courtesy, in a manner which conveyed conclusively that the name had no significance for him whatever. Tarr resumed.
    “ ‘ Viktorov is himself an old professional of great cunning, said Ivlov. His cover job is cultural attaché and that is how he speaks to Karla. As Cultural Attaché Polyakov, he organises lectures to British universities and societies concerning cultural matters in the Soviet Union, but his nightwork as Colonel Gregor Viktorov is briefing and debriefing the mole Gerald on instruction from Karla at Centre. For this purpose, Colonel Viktorov-Polyakov uses legmen and poor Ivlov was for a while one. Nevertheless it is Karla in Moscow who is the real controller of the mole Gerald.’ ”
    “Now it really changes,” said Tarr. “She’s writing at night and she’s either plastered or scared out of her pants, because she’s going all over the damn page. There’s talk about footsteps in the corridor and the dirty looks she’s getting from the gorillas. Not transcribed—right, Mr. Smiley?” And, receiving a small nod, he went on: “ ‘The measures for the mole’s security were remarkable. Written reports from London to Karla at Moscow Centre even after coding were cut in two and sent by separate couriers, others in secret inks underneath orthodox Embassy correspondence. Ivlov told me that the mole Gerald produced at times more conspiratorial material than Viktorov-Polyakov could conveniently handle. Much was on undeveloped film, often thirty reels in a week. Anyone opening the container in the wrong fashion at once exposed the film. Other material was given by the mole in speeches, at extremely conspiratorial meetings, and recorded on special tape that could only be played through complicated machines. This tape was also wiped clean by exposure to light or to the wrong machine. The meetings were of the crash type, always different, always sudden, that is all I know except that it was the time when the Fascist aggression in Vietnam was at its worst; in England the extreme reactionaries had again taken the power. Also that according to Ivlov-Lapin, the mole Gerald was a high functionary in the Circus. Thomas, I tell you this because, since I love you, I have decided to admire all English, you most of all. I do not wish to think of an English gentleman behaving as a traitor, though naturally I believe he was right to join the workers’ cause. Also I fear for the safety of anyone employed by the Circus in a conspiracy. Thomas, I love you; take care with this knowledge—it could hurt you also. Ivlov was a man like you, even if they called him Lapin . . .’ ” Tarr paused diffidently. “There’s a bit at the end which . . .”
    “Read it,” Guillam murmured.
    Lifting the wad of paper slightly sideways, Tarr read in the same flat drawl: “ ‘Thomas, I am telling you this also because I am afraid. This morning when I woke, he was sitting on the bed, staring at me like a madman. When I went downstairs for coffee, the guards Trepov and Novikov watched me like animals, eating very carelessly. I am sure they had been there hours; also from the Residency, Avilov sat with them, a boy. Have you been indiscreet, Thomas? Did you tell more than you let me think? Now you see why only Alleline would do. You need not blame yourself; I can guess what you have told them. In my heart I am free. You have seen only the bad things in me—the drink, the fear, the lies we live. But deep inside me burns a new and blessed light. I used to think that the secret world was a separate place and that I was