The murder of a Soviet defector forces his old handler, British spymaster George Smiley, out of retirement. His investigation leads to an old nemesis, the Soviet spymaster known only as "Karla". This will be their final dance.
In Paris, a Russian émigré is approached by a ginger-haired Russian official and told that her daughter Alexandra may be allowed to join her in the West. Madame Ostrakova had been given permission to join her husband who had defected to the West but at a great cost: she was forced to leave her infant daughter behind. She follows instructions and applies for a visa for her daughter at the Russian Embassy. When weeks go by and she hears nothing, she writes to a former Soviet General, Vladimir, who now lives in London. He realizes something important in what she says and contacts the Circus, headquarters of the British Secret Service. When he is found dead on Hampstead Heath, George Smiley is called out of retirement to tie up any loose ends and ensure the old General's death doesn't raise any of his former connections to the Service.
George Smiley continues his his investigation into the death of General Vladimir but discovers a number of anomalies related to his death. His former employers in the Secret Service simply wanted him to ensure that the General's death doesn't dredge up any old history. George is convinced however that the General was assassinated by the KGB and is puzzled by the possessions the police found - or didn't find - in his coat pocket. He retraces the General's recent movements and learns that a friend of his had brought him something important from Germany. A walk through Hampstead Heath turns up the information he had obtained. In Paris meanwhile, Madame Ostrakova is attacked by thugs who try to throw her in front of a car. Now in fear for her life, she again writes her friend the General in London.
