Chapter 7 Summary

Tarr realizes Irina is mentally unstable, changing her story and mind frequently. She keeps mentioning the need to see Percy Alleline and wants to defect, so Tarr take a chances and talks to the Hong Kong agent, Thesinger.

Thesinger allows Tarr to send a coded message to the Head of London Station. Tarr wanted Irina to have the full defector treatment, as she claims to have information crucial to the survival of London Station. Smiley asks Tarr for the exact wording about the crucial information section of the message and Tarr tells him. Tarr waits some time, only receiving confirmation of London Station receiving the request. They ask for more information regarding Irina's position at Moscow Centre. Tarr tries to meet up with Irena, but she does not show. He learns that an unscheduled Soviet plane with four people aboard had taken off...