Very true! And while it is early, let’s lift a glass to all war horses.
You know, when I was a youngster I read most of the Sherlock Holmes stories but I’ve got to check out the one you mentioned.
“The Five Orange Pips,” although being in the original batch of Sherlock Holmes short stories, which are considered the best, has a lot of plot holes.
For example, if Col. Openshaw wanted to “checkmate” the KKK, why did he burn their papers, rather than save them, since they were incriminating?
Also, why did Sherlock Holmes send John Openshaw back home, knowing that the KKK was on his trail, after they’d already killed his uncle and father?
I like it anyway. The characters and settings of the Sherlock Holmes stories are so good, that it more than makes up for any shortcomings in the plots, which are still interesting and ingenious despite the plot holes.