Depending on the edition, The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes includes either eleven or twelve stories. The first British edition published by George Newnes Ltd. omitted "The Cardboard Box" while the first American edition by Harper published in February 1894 included the story. Harper removed the story from their revised edition, and the story is still omitted from some books. Although the reason for the omission is not known, it is speculated that Doyle withheld "The Cardboard Box" from the collection believing it unsuitable for younger readers.