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Mary Conan Doyle, Arthur's first child, died in 1976. She had always kept one secret from her father. Touie, on her deathbed, had not only warned her daughter that Arthur would marry again; she also named his future bride as Miss Jean Leckie.

J.B. January 2005

Apart from Jean's letter to Arthur, all letters quoted, whether signed or anonymous, are authentic; as are quotations from newspapers, government reports, proceedings in Parliament, and the writings of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. I should like to thank: Sgt. Alan Walker of the Staffordshire Constabulary; the City Archives of Birmingham Central Library; the Staffordshire County Property Service; the Revd Paul Oakley; Daniel Stashower; Douglas Johnson; Geoffrey Robertson; and Sumaya Partner.