 After an exhaustive search through the records of the Circus and other British government agencies, and a review of the boy's extensive criminal record, Smiley is forced to conclude that the boy was "an irredeemable and habitual monster," that his sordid death was no more than he deserved, and he has never had the slightest connection with the Circus or any other government service.However, when the sergeant and his wife return for a second interview with Smiley, he tells them that, officially, the British government denies any knowledge of his son, while unofficially he gives them a set of superb gold cufflinks – one of the fanciful details of the son's story was that he and other top class agents were issued with special cufflinks instead of medals.The elderly couple departs the office, swelling with pride at their son's heroism.