Madame Ostrakova was desperate to believe the sweating Russian who promised the return of her daughter. Then there was the Paris letter which rang old bells for General Vladimir. These two events summoned master spy George Smiley from retirement.

Vladimir has two proofs, but Smiley has only found one. It was an erotic photograph of Otto Leipzig, the General's lieutenant. Now aware that Vladimir has quarrelled with his postman Toby Esterhase, Smiley plans to visit old friends.