"Tell me," Braceway asked with undisguised eagerness, "did this man wear a beard?"
"I think so. I've been thinking about that all day. I think he did, but I'm not sure."
"But you saw the plain silhouette, the outline of his head and body!"
"Yes. He might have had a beard, and again he might not. He was heavily built, with a short, thick neck, and, in the attitude he was in, foreshortened by the light being above him, a strong chin might have been magnified, might have cast a shadow like that of a beard."
"And when you were struggling with him? How about that? Didn't you get close to his face?"
"Yes; but he was taller than I was—I don't know—I can't remember. But I think he had the beard, all right."
"He didn't make any noise on the steps, you say. Did he have rubber shoes?"
"I don't know. My guess would be that he did."
The conductor began to shout, "All aboard!"
They started toward the Atlanta pullman.