Inquisitor 1217

[RossR]

Is nobody but me having any difficulty with this? I have solved many of the clues but cannot spot any "thematic modification" that would enable me to actually enter anything. Could somebody please offer a small hint?

[x_word_fan]

haggis - it's not take for.

(??OK) ???? and ??????

[x_word_fan]

haggis - pity you!

[Geoff.T]

Hi again
You are looking for a 4 letter answer. First 2 letters = moderation, last two letters mean satisfactory. Think of famous literary pirate. This will easily lead you to the trio - a well known idiomatic phrase
Geoff

[haggis58]

OK everyone and many thanks. Got there in the end.

[Neveracrossword]

I'm still battling with this!
3 D. Art of information gathering in taping criminal society (8,2 words)
i??itin?
25 A. ...unfortunate launch without hard vocal solo depressed panels (6)
???p?a
People who've done, are doing this crossword will know that letters are removed from the answers, the actual solutions are several letters longer.
Thanks for any hlp.

[keithsolver]

3d oil paintings

25a lacunaria

Is 24d tictac?

Have you found the character?

[Neveracrossword]

Thanks, keithsolver - those look great, but also mean I've gone wrong with a couple of earlier solutions!

[Neveracrossword]

Can someone who's solved this please help me out?
For 20 A I have 'string pea' and for 2 D I've been told the answer's 'oil paintings' - but it's impossible to fit both in, once I remove letters.
Thanks for any advice,info.

[keithsolver]

20a strigging

[Neveracrossword]

Thanks- I'd just got it myself. Have now found the character. I have only 21 to finish off - and I've to settle on an answer for 24.

[Geoff.T]

Keith
If you mean that you are looking for the character to highlight there are a couple of clues to help you earlier on in this string
Geoff

[keithsolver]

Is the character "the a m", if so I can't find it.

[Geoff.T]

Keith
Yes and they share the same central letter
Geoff

[Geoff.T]

Keith
By central I mean central in more ways than one
Geoff

[keithsolver]

After correcting a misprint, I now have the character

[Neveracrossword]

Keith - the character starts partway through 3 D and just above 13. Think diagonally!

[Neveracrossword]

I'm finished except for two letters in 10 D. At present I have ho?e?earth - but don't know whether I'm tracking down 2 five-letter words (homes, earth/hopes,earth) or a four-letter word (home,hearth/hope,hearth). I can't find anywhere to track down the quotation, so any advice would be wonderful Thanks.

[keithsolver]

home beauty

[Neveracrossword]

Thanks - I don't know why I'd decided the second word was 'earth' or 'hearth'.

[Neveracrossword]

And for the sake of completeness, I have read the full quote, re 10 D.