On account of this thread, I took down a volume of Maugham's short stories that I hadn't read for some time.
They are French translations although I had previously read them in English and, although they are by different translators, there is only one man who could have written them. They are written with great facility without being in the least superficial and the style is unmistakable. If anyone fancies themselves as a short story writer, they should read Maugham if only to see what they are up against. In addition to those already mentioned I would add as must reads:

Flotsam and Jetsam
The Alien Corn
The Outstation
Mr Know All
The Force of Circumstance
The Four Dutchmen