Sentence:  <WSD>Blue-bearded</WSD> though they were, and bereft of the youthful smoothness of cheek which is imparted by what is termed in Albion a ‘Whitechapel shave' (and which is, in fact, whitening, judiciously applied to the jaws with the palm of the hand), I recognised them. 
Meaning of the word marked with <WSD> tags:  Having thick, dark facial hair.