Round the Fire Stories Read online

  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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