What happened to his beard?
Sherlock Holmes might deduce that he shaved it off?
Perhaps you're wondering why he shaved it?
Part of that might be where in the world you're working of course. In some parts of the world, a man without a beard is considered effeminate, while in others it demonstrate brutish lack of civility (aka barbarism). Or maybe he just didn't like the look of it and wanted a change.
I know one Traditionalist Bishop/Priest who disliked giving Holy Communion to men with beards (as he feared Particles of the Sacred Host getting in their beards).
IMO, however, there are very few men who don't look more masculine and virile and don't command more respect when they have some facial hair ... especially those of us with, uhm, well, certain challenges regarding hair on top of our heads (I think of it as God's tonsure).