I Prize Cryptic Crossword 930

[aptrefor]

Can't find Dickens characters to fit :
6d. ?o?l?r
24d. m?l?e?

Help appreciated.

[donny48]

24 Marley

[donny48]

6 Oliver

[aptrefor]

I thought of that, but what does that make 26a?

[Captain2]

What's the clue/letters?

[donny48]

Using your letters I guessed at my answers which if correct make your placing of the letters wrong.

[aptrefor]

I'm fairly confident about the letters - all except the r in 24d.
Pretty sure about ?o?l?r. Clue is: 5 in 9 29 having question given to the French king.

[emeritus]

Seen as Howler

[aptrefor]

Thanks for that emeritus. Can somebody help with 26a. Ship's compass working poorly with it after beginning to guide. I have gyropilot.

[Lie-in King]

That's fine - anag 'g(uide)' (beginning) + anag 'poorly + it'

[aurion]

"Can somebody help with 26a. Ship's compass working poorly with it after beginning to guide. I have gyropilot. "

That's right .. what help do you need?

[aptrefor]

It means 24d. cannot be Marley! I have m?l?e?

[Mamyalynne]

Parsing.

[aurion]

24d. m?l?e?

I think the "l" is wrong. Must be Marley. What's the other clue?

[Lie-in King]

What's the clue for 24d?

[aptrefor]

24d. is 5 in 9 29, not initially cheerful about volume. I'm pretty sure the l is correct.

[Lie-in King]

Milvey - '(s)miley' (about) 'v(olume)'

http://charlesdickenspage.com/char_l-m.html#milvey

[aptrefor]

Eureka! Thanks Lie-in king.

[Lie-in King]

Glad I could help :-)