The Spy Who Came in From The Cold

“Let me tell you some details of his career. He was recruited into the Department at the age of twentyeight and underwent the customary instruction. Having completed his probationary period he undertook special tasks in Scandinavian countries–notably Norway, Sweden and Finland–where he succeeded in establishing an intelligence network which carried the battle against fascist agitators into the enemy’s camp. He performed this task well, and there is no reason to suppose that at that time he was other than a diligent member of his Department. But, Comrades, you should not forget this early connection with Scandinavia. The networks established by Comrade Mundt soon after the war provided the excuse, many years later, for him to travel to Finland and Norway, where his commitments became a cover enabling him to draw thousands of dollars from foreign banks in return for his treacherous conduct. Make no mistake: Comrade Mundt has not fallen victim to those who try to disprove the arguments of history. First cowardice, then weakness, then greed were his motives; the acquirement of great wealth his dream. Ironically, it was the elaborate system by which his lust for money was satisfied that brought the forces of justice on his trail.”

Fiedler paused, and looked around the room, his eyes suddenly alight with fervor. Leamas watched, fascinated.

“Let that be a lesson,” Fiedler shouted, “to those other enemies of the state, whose crime is so foul that they must plot in the secret hours of the night!” A dutiful murmur rose from the tiny group of spectators at the back of the room.

“They will not escape the vigilance of the people whose blood they seek to sell!” Fiedler might have been addressing a large crowd rather than the handful of officials and guards assembled in the tiny, whitewalled room.

Leamas realized at that moment that Fiedler was taking no chances: the deportment of the Tribunal, prosecutors and witnesses must be politically impeccable. Fiedler, knowing no doubt that the danger of a subsequent countercharge was inherent in such cases, was protecting his own back; the polemic would go down in the record and it would be a brave man who set himself to refute it.

Fiedler now opened the file that lay on the desk before him.

“At the end of 1956, Mundt was posted to London as a member of the East German Steel Mission. He had the additional special task of undertaking countersubversionary measures against émigré groups. In the course of his work he exposed himself to great dangers–of that there is no doubt–and he obtained valuable results.”

Leamas’ attention was again drawn to the three figures at the center table. To the President’s left, a youngish man, dark. His eyes seemed to be half closed. He had lank, unruly hair and the gray, meager complexion of an ascetic. His hands were slim, restlessly toying with the corner of a bundle of papers which lay before him. Leamas guessed he was Mundt’s man; he found it hard to say why. On the other side of the table sat a slightly older man, balding, with an open agreeable face. Leamas thought he looked rather an ass. He guessed that if Mundt’s fate hung in the balance, the young man would defend him and the woman condemn. He thought the second man would be embarrassed by the difference of opinion and side with the President.

Fiedler was speaking again.

“It was at the end of his service in London that recuitment took place. I have said that he exposed himself to great dangers; in doing so he fell foul of the British Secret Police, and they issued a warrant for his arrest. Mundt, who had no diplomatic immunity (NATO Britain does not recognize our sovereignty), went into hiding. Ports were watched; his photograph and description were distributed throughout the British Isles. Yet after two days in hiding, Comrade Mundt took a taxi to London airport and flew to Berlin. ‘Brilliant,’ you will say, and so it was. With the whole of Britain’s police force alerted, her roads, railways, shipping and air routes under constant surveil lance, Comrade Mundt takes a plane from London airport. Brilliant indeed. Or perhaps you may feel, Comrades, with the advantage of hindsight, that Mundt’s escape from England was a little _too_ brilliant, a little _too_ easy, that without the connivance of the British authorities it would neyer have been possible at all!” Another murmur, more spontaneous than the first, rose from the back of the room.

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