Smiley provides Guilliam with background information about Karla. Karla is a legend in the intelligence world, and he is fiercely devoted to the Soviet Union and communism. He has worked across Europe and has largely remained anonymous, though Smiley mentioned that he has likely been involved in the Spanish Civil War and World War II. Many of the agents who have worked for Karla have died, so few people are able to provide information about him. The only person who might know Karla’s real name and his cover identity is the mole in the Circus, Gerald. Of the information known about Karla, Smiley recalls how Karla travelled from California to India in 1955. He travelled under the false name Gerstmann and was arrested at the request of the British intelligence services on immigration charges. Smiley met Gerstmann but had no idea that he was actually Karla. Smiley tried to persuade Gerstmann to defect, but he was not successful, even though Karla was likely to face execution when he returned to Russia.

Smiley regrets his failure; Karla said nothing throughout the meeting, and Smiley eventually embarrassed himself by discussing his anxieties about women. However, Karla did steal Smiley’s cigarette lighter, which was inscribed with a personal message from Ann.