“Where does he come from?” “From Omsk. He is a Siberian.” “Has he coolness, intelligence, courage?” “Yes, sire; he has all the qualities necessary to succeed, even where others might possibly fail.” “What is his age?” “Thirty.” “Is he strong and vigorous?” “Sire, he can bear cold, hunger, thirst, fatigue, to the very last extremities.” “He must have a frame of iron.” “Sire, he has.” “And a heart?” “A heart of gold.” “His name?” “Michael Strogoff.” “Is he ready to set out?” “He awaits your majesty’s orders in the guard-room.” “Let him come in,” said the Czar. In a few moments Michael Strogoff, the courier, entered the imperial library. He was a tall, vigorous, broad-shouldered, deep-chested man. His powerful head possessed the fine features of the Caucasian race. His well-knit frame seemed built for the performance of feats of strength. It would have been a difficult task to move such a man against his will, for when his feet were once planted on the ground, it was as if they had taken root. As he doffed his Muscovite cap, locks of thick curly hair fell over his broad, massive forehead. When his ordinarily pale face became at all flushed, it arose solely from a more rapid action of the heart. His eyes, of a deep blue, looked with clear, frank, firm gaze. The slightly-contracted eyebrows indicated lofty heroism--“the hero’s cool courage,” according to the definition of the physiologist. He possessed a fine nose, with large nostrils; and a well-shaped mouth, with the slightly-projecting lips which denote a generous and noble heart. Michael Strogoff had the temperament of the man of action, who does not bite his nails or scratch his head in doubt and indecision. Sparing of gestures as of words, he always stood motionless like a soldier before his superior; but when he moved, his step showed a firmness, a freedom of movement, which proved the confidence and vivacity of his mind. Michael Strogoff wore a handsome military uniform something resembling that of a light-cavalry officer in the field--boots, spurs, half tightly-fitting trousers, brown pelisse, trimmed with fur and ornamented with yellow braid. On his breast glittered a cross and several medals. Michael Strogoff belonged to the special corps of the Czar’s couriers, ranking as an officer among those picked men. His most discernible characteristic--particularly in his walk, his face, in the whole man, and which the Czar perceived at a glance--was, that he was “a fulfiller of orders.” He therefore possessed one of the most serviceable qualities in Russia--one which, as the celebrated novelist Tourgueneff says, “will lead to the highest positions in the Muscovite empire.” In short, if anyone could accomplish this journey from Moscow to Irkutsk, across a rebellious country, surmount obstacles, and brave perils of all sorts, Michael Strogoff was the man.