Tsar Alexander I died in 1825 in Taganrog, far from the capital of the empire - he died unexpectedly, when it seemed his reign was still destined for many years. His death gave rise to many rumors. Among others, there was one that the sovereign secretly retired from business, because during his lifetime he often spoke of his desire to abdicate the throne. And less than eleven years later, in the Perm province, a mysterious man who called himself Fyodor Kozmich was detained, whipped for vagrancy and exiled to Siberia. Many signs pointed to his belonging to the highest aristocracy, but Fyodor Kozmich refused to reveal his real name and went to his grave, leaving behind only two encrypted notes. Rumor persistently saw him as Alexander I, and some researchers were inclined to the same opinion... Professor Konstantin Kudryashov examines in detail all versions of this complicated story and gives his answer to the question of who the mysterious old man was.