The Secret Agent: A Simple TaleIn the only novel Conrad set in London, The Secret Agent; communicates a profoundly ironic view of human affairs. The story is woven around an attack on the Greenwich Observatory in 1894 masterminded by Verloc, a Russian spy working for the police, and ostensibly a member of an anarchist group in Soho. His masters instruct him to discredit the anarchists in a humiliating fashion, and when his evil plan goes horribly awry, Verlac must deal with the repercussions of his actions. |
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affair anarchist answered appeared asked Assistant Commissioner became believe better called character Chief Inspector Heat clear closed Comrade Ossipon Conrad course dark don’t door doubt effect expression eyes face fact feeling fellow felt force gave give glance gone half hand head heard heart human husband idea keep kind knew light lips living looked loved manner matter mean Michaelis mind mother moved nature never once Ossipon parlour passed perhaps person police poor position present Professor raised reason remained respectable round Secret Agent seemed seen sense side silence smile sort sound standing Stevie street suddenly talk tell things thought tone took turned Verloc Vladimir voice walked whole wife Winnie woman