In some ways it was more fun when we didn't know. But in other ways, yesterday's top story could be just the thing this country needs as a reminder that even in this noisy era of the Patriot Act, we still need quiet patriots willing to risk their own positions to tell the truth, or at least lead others to it.

In many ways, the revelation of Deep Throat's true identity turns out to be less shocking than we might have imagined. This can seem like a bit of a letdown because mysteries are almost always more intriguing when they're unresolved, and because the characters of our own invention are often more fascinating than their flesh-and-blood counterparts.

If Deep Throat had turned out to be someone who was never once suspected, like one of Richard Nixon's family members or closest political confidants, the truth would have been nothing short of explosive. After all, this is a secret that endured for more than 30 years, involving an informant who helped unravel a "two-bit burglary" that eventually brought down a president and changed the course of the nation. In all the world's greatest mysteries, it's always the least likely suspect who turns out to be the one whodunit.

Instead, Deep Throat turns out to be someone whose name was on the short list of the most educated guessers all along.

The revelation that W. Mark Felt was the anonymous source who kept Washington Post reporters Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein on track in their Watergate reporting is not without its ironies.

Felt, now 91, was the No. 2 official at the FBI -- a prime position for a leaker. He was also convicted in 1980 of having approved illegal break-ins of his own, violating the civil rights of friends and relatives of fugitive members of the Weather Underground in the early 1970s.

He and Edward Miller, former head of the FBI's intelligence division, were fined $8,500 after a trial that included testimony by Nixon and five former attorneys general.

Both men were pardoned in 1981 by Ronald Reagan, who said at the time they had acted "on high principle to bring an end to the terrorism that was threatening our nation." At which time Nixon sent Felt champagne and a note reading, "Justice ultimately prevails. Congratulations for sticking with it and thanks for your service to the nation."

The story brings vindication to Bernstein's son, of all people, who reportedly spilled the beans to a buddy at summer camp in 1988. The friend told the Hartford Courant 11 years later that Jacob Bernstein had let the name slip. Felt categorically denied the link, and Carl Bernstein reportedly laughed it off.

As far back as 1975, Nixon's chief of staff, H. R. Haldeman, said he thought Felt was Deep Throat. Felt's comment to the Washington Post at the time: "This is not the first time Mr. Haldeman has been wrong." Haldeman's most avid opponents might now say that on the contrary, it may have been the first time he was right.

Felt had his reasons for keeping the secret, believing his actions to have been necessary but less than honorable. Apparently, the second part of that opinion only began changing in the last few years.

In any case, now we know. And knowing, we can never again put our own imaginations to work, giving face or form to the shadowy figure lurking behind pillars in parking garages.

Of course, many of us who saw the movie "All the President's Men" gave up total control over our own visions of Deep Throat years ago; they were supplanted by the face and voice of Hal Holbrook, who played the character in the film. But even then, we were free to depart from the cinematic version, knowing that behind the actor playing the part was a real person who lived it.

It will be interesting to see what kind of reactions emerge in the coming weeks. Who will commend Felt for upholding the honor of the presidency by unmasking a corrupt president? Who will label him a traitor to his office?

It will be even more interesting if the hubbub around this story inspires an equally high-ranking official in the Bush administration to similarly place the best interests of the nation above that of the man who made so many false claims to justify a war against Iraq.

Who knows, there could be another potential Deep Throat currently inhabiting the halls of power, every bit as fed up with the conduct behind the scenes of this White House, who just needs an extra jolt to set his or her conscience in motion.

Based on what we've seen happen to other former Bushies who went "off message," that person could certainly be forgiven for wanting to remain every bit as anonymous as Deep Throat did for all these years. But Felt's coming forward spurs us to look one more time at this history and make a judgment as to which is worth more: loyalty to the man in office or loyalty to the ideals of the nation he is sworn to serve.