Crabbe’s Practice by Arthur Conan Doyle. Short summary

5 seconds

To help a friend, Dr. Crabbe, get a practice, Barton fakes death. The doctor brings the «dead man» back to life and gets many clients.

1 minute

Dr. Barton’s friend since his student days, Dr. Tom Crabbe, has no way to start a practice. There is too much competition in his provincial town and patients go to his more famous colleagues for help. Crabbe comes up with various ways to attract clients, but nothing works.

Tom’s friend Barton comes to visit and decides to help. The friends come up with a story about rescuing a drowning man, a role Barton must play. Tom must heal the «drowned man.» After such a thing, the patients are sure to go to Crabbe.

Barton removes the boat, falls into the water and pretends to be drowned. Crabbe states death, but with an electric shock, he «revives» his buddy.

From that moment on, Dr. Crabbe’s practice grows at a tremendous rate. He thanks Barton and expresses his readiness to help his friend should he have any difficulties.