Transcriber’s note:
Text enclosed by underscores is in italics (_italics_).
Text enclosed by equal signs is in bold face (=bold=).
“I BURST WITH A SHRIEK INTO MY OWN LIFE.”
[_Page 12._]
ROUND THE FIRE STORIES
by
ARTHUR CONAN DOYLE
Author of“The White Company,” etc., etc.
With a Frontispiece by A. Castaigne
LondonSmith, Elder & Co., 15, Waterloo Place1908
(All rights reserved)
Printed byWilliam Clowes and Sons, Limited,London and Beccles.
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PREFACE
In a previous volume, “The Green Flag,” I have assembled a number of mystories which deal with warfare or with sport. In the present collectionthose have been brought together which are concerned with the grotesqueand with the terrible—such tales as might well be read “round the fire”upon a winter’s night. This would be my ideal atmosphere for suchstories, if an author might choose his time and place as an artist doesthe light and hanging of his picture. However, if they have the goodfortune to give pleasure to any one, at any time or place, their authorwill be very satisfied.
ARTHUR CONAN DOYLE.
WINDLESHAM, CROWBOROUGH.
CONTENTS
PAGE
I. THE LEATHER FUNNEL 1
II. THE BEETLE HUNTER 18
III. THE MAN WITH THE WATCHES 41
IV. THE POT OF CAVIARE 65
V. THE JAPANNED BOX 85
VI. THE BLACK DOCTOR 103
VII. PLAYING WITH FIRE 129
VIII. THE JEW’S BREASTPLATE 149
IX. THE LOST SPECIAL 177
X. THE CLUB-FOOTED GROCER 202
XI. THE SEALED ROOM 229
XII. THE BRAZILIAN CAT 248
XIII. THE USHER OF LEA HOUSE SCHOOL 276
XIV. THE BROWN HAND 299
XV. THE FIEND OF THE COOPERAGE 321
XVI. JELLAND’S VOYAGE 340
XVII. B. 24 351
“I BURST WITH A SHRIEK INTO MY OWN LIFE.” _Frontispiece_. (_From a drawing by A. Castaigne._)
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Round the Fire Stories Page 1