‘About there being other proofs, for instance?’
Nothing, said Villem : no more.
‘Nothing to explain how he had communicated with Hamburg in the first place, set up the arrangements? Whether others of the Group were involved? Please think.’
Villem thought, but without result.
‘So who have you told this to, William, apart from me?’ Smiley asked.
‘Nobody! Max, nobody!’
‘He hasn’t had time,’ said Stella.
‘Nobody! On journey I sleep in cab, save ten pounds a night subsistence. We buy house with this money! In Hamburg I tell nobody! At depot nobody!’
‘Had Vladimir told anyone – anyone that you know of, that is?’
‘From the Group nobody only Mikhel, which was necessary, but not all, even to Mikhel. I ask to him : “Vladimir, who knows I do this for you?” “Only Mikhel a very little,” he say. “Mikhel lends me money, lends me photocopier, he is my friend. But even to friends we cannot trust. Enemies I do not fear, Villem. But friends I fear greatly.” ‘
Smiley spoke to Stella : ‘If the police do come here,’ he said. ‘If they do, they will only know that Vladimir drove down here yesterday. They’ll have got on to the cab driver, as I did.’
She was watching him with her large shrewd eyes.
‘So?’ she asked.
‘So don’t tell them the rest. They know all they need. Any more could be an embarrassment to them.’
‘To them or to you?’ Stella asked.
‘Vladimir came here yesterday to see Beckie and bring her a present. That’s the cover story, just as William first told it. He didn’t know you’d taken her to see your mother. He found William here, they talked old times and strolled in the garden. He couldn’t wait too long because of the taxi, so he left without seeing you or his god-daughter. That’s all there was.’
‘Were you here?’ Stella was still watching him.
‘If they ask about me, yes. I came here today and gave you the bad news. The police don’t mind that Villem belonged to the Group. It’s only the present that matters to them.’
Smiley returned his attention to Villem. ‘Tell me, did you bring anything else for Vladimir?’ he asked. ‘Apart from what was in the envelope? A present perhaps? Something he liked and couldn’t buy himself?’
Villem concentrated energetically upon the question before replying. ‘Cigarettes! ‘ he cried suddenly. ‘On boat, I buy him French cigarettes as gift. Gauloises, Max. He like very much! “Gauloises Caporal, with filter, Villem.” Sure!’
‘And the fifty pounds he had borrowed from Mikhel?’ Smiley asked.
‘I give back. Sure.’
‘All?’ said Smiley.
‘All. Cigarettes was gift. Max, I love this man.’
Stella saw him to the door and at the door he gently took her arm and led her a few steps into the garden out of earshot of her husband.
‘You’re out of date,’ she told him. ‘Whatever it is you’re doing, sooner or later one side or the other will have to stop. You’re like the Group.’
‘Be quiet and listen,’ said Smiley. ‘Are you listening?’
‘Yes.’
‘William’s to speak to no one about this. Whom does he like to talk to at the depot?’
‘The whole world.’
‘Well, do what you can. Did anybody else ring apart from Mikhel? A wrong-number call even? Ring – then ring off?’
She thought, then shook her head.
‘Did anyone come to the door? Salesman, market researcher, religious evangelist. Canvasser. Anyone? You’re sure?’
As she continued staring at him her eyes seemed to acquire real knowledge of him, and appreciation. Then again she shook her head, denying him the complicity he was asking for.
‘Stay away, Max. All of you. Whatever happens, however bad it is. He’s grown up. He doesn’t need a vicar any more.’
She watched him leave, perhaps to make sure he really went. For a while as he drove, the notion of Vladimir’s piece of negative film nestling in its box consumed him like hidden money whether it was still safe, whether he should inspect it or convert it, since it had been brought through the lines at the cost of life. But by the time he approached the river he had other thoughts and purposes. Eschewing Chelsea, he joined the northbound Saturday traffic, which consisted mainly of young families with old cars. And one motor-bike with a black side-car, clinging faithfully to his tail all the way to Bloomsbury.