Kate, Jack and Sam are good friends. They are in the same school.Kate and Jack are classmates. But Sam is in a different grade－Grade Three. They often do sports or play games after school.

    This evening Jack is going to Sam's birthday party and he is going to give him a new book for his birthday because he likes reading very much. Kate wants to go to the party, too. But she has to stay at home because her mother isn't feeling well. She asks Jack to take a present to Sam for his birthday. She wants to give Sam a different present, so she gives him a very mice new pen.

    "Which meal do we all need most, breakfast, lunch or dinner?" Miss Baker asks. Boys and girls wave（挥动）their hands in the air. They know the answer.

    "What do you think, Jim?" Miss Baker asks.

    "Dinner. " he answers.

    "Dinner is the big meal of the day. " says Miss Baker. "But I don't think it is the meal we need most. "

    Tom puts up his hand. "Is lunch the meal we need most?"

    "No. " says Miss Baker. " Breakfast is the meal we need most. "

    "Why is this so?"

    "From night until morning is a long time to go without food. "says Ann.

    "That's right. "says Miss Baker. "We need food every morning. What may happen（发生）to us if we have no breakfast?"

    The class have many answers to give.

    "We may not feel like working. "

    "We may feel sick（生病）. "

    "Yes, you are right, "says Miss Baker. "Now, let's talk about what makes a good breakfast. Give me your answers. I will write them on the blackboard. "

    The first word Miss Baker puts on the list is milk. What else do you think she puts on the list?

    "My dear lady," says Holmes. "You're shivering. Are you cold? Do you want a cup of hot tea?"

    "I'm not cold," the woman replies. "I fear for my life!"

    "We are here to help you. Don't worry about anything. I don't know you. But I know many things about you. For example, I know how you travel. You came to London by train. You also rode to the train station on a horse­drawn wagon(马拉车). "

    "Why, yes. You're right. But how do you know these things？"

    "I see a return ticket in your glove. I see fresh mud on the left arm of your dress. Now tell us your problem. "

    "My name is Helen Stoner," she states. "My mother and father are dead. I am living with my stepfather, Dr Grimesby Roylott. He comes from a rich family. But they are no longer rich. They have nothing except a small piece of land and a huge old house. We are living in the house. Dr Roylott is using my mother's money for expenses(开支). Part of it was for my sister and me. It was for our marriages."

Holmes is sitting in his chair. His eyes are closed. He is listening carefully to Helen's story. He hears every detail.

    Helen continues. "My stepfather has no friends. He fights with everyone. He is strong and gets angry quickly. Everyone is afraid of him. "

    "He has no friends at all?" asks Holmes.

    "No. He talks to no one except the gypsies. They are poor people who travel from place to place. A band of gypsies is staying on our land right now."

    "Are you and your sister afraid of the gypsies?"

    "My dear Mr. Holmes. You are making me so sad. My sister is dead. That is why I am standing here in this room."