Here's why:
* Different sources list varying numbers: There's no definitive, agreed-upon list of all his short stories. Some sources might include stories published in magazines or newspapers that weren't later collected in books, while others might only count stories published in collections.
* Some stories were later adapted: Some stories were originally published as short stories but were later expanded into novels or novellas. This raises the question of whether to count these as separate works.
* He wrote prolifically: London was a very prolific writer, and many of his works were short stories.
However, estimates suggest that Jack London wrote over 200 short stories.
To get a more accurate picture, you can consult specific sources like:
* The Jack London Literary Center: Their website might have a more complete listing of his works.
* The Jack London bibliography: There are several bibliographies dedicated to his works, which may provide a more thorough list.
* Academic articles or books about Jack London: These might also offer insights into the number and nature of his short story output.