Inquisitor 1313

[boreas]

I've completed the grid and followed the instruction, but can't see the words that were too long.

Is 41a one of them?

Thanks in advance.

[PuzledBadger]

I've also completed the grid and found the instructions (though I'm missing the last letter of the penultimate word.)

I don't believe that 41a is messed about with but at this stage I have no idea what to do for the end game.

Any hints?

[boreas]

Yes, I now think 41a is normal clue.

The last letter of the penultimate word in the instructions is 'n' I think.

If you follow the instructions you end up with a shape in the grid.
Then you need to add the finishing touch to this shape.

(the shape was a "leading light" once, according to a seasonal song.

[PuzledBadger]

Yes, I should have stated that I was pretty sure that I knew it was "N" but I can't see where it comes from. The only contenders AFAICS are 26d, 29d and 31d.

I'll try and figure out your hint even if it means standing on my head and whistling the "seasonal song" in question. I'm pretty sure I know which song it is.

(I may return)

[boreas]

I'm not sure either about where a couple of the letters come from.
Rushed to fill everything in - now going back to work out a few things.

[Kobnut]

I have 25d providing the last letter of the penultimate word

[boreas]

Thanks Kobnut

[JagoBean]

31d / 37a contain the missing or extra letters. Ive got the instruction (4 words, assuming I'm right), but if I try to follow it I come unstuck because I have only 2 Fs in my completed grid (28a and 20d / 20a). Must be missing something somewhere.

[JagoBean]

5 words, I meant, not 4.

[JagoBean]

Ahhh got it. I guess the clue was in my query about the Fs. How lovely.

[boreas]

Yes, I think a few of us will look like that over Christmas.

[Ripper]

I'm really stuck with the song!
I assumed the instruction (which I've got) meant using the 22 letters of the item mentioned.
Please could someone give me a hint as an early Christmas pressy?
Thanks in advance

[boreas]

Ripper,

Think of the 'leading light' that pulled Santa's sleigh.

[boreas]

. . . although actually, according to the lyrics it was 'guide' not 'pull'.

[Ripper]

Am I correct doing exactly what the instruction says?
'cos I've done that and got a weird shape that looks nothing like the R I assume it should!

[boreas]

The shape is a creature - the one that guided Santa

[Ripper]

Awwww! Just got it - very sweet!
Thanks for all your hints
Have a lovely Christmas

[boreas]

And you, too!

[PuzledBadger]

I finally got it. I had managed to mislead myself by getting one letter wrong (I instead of T), so instead of ----- for the penultimate word, I had -----N (indicating movement.)

And, I did have the right song all along.

[boreas]

Did you get the 'i' from 20down?I made the same mistake.

[PuzledBadger]

Yes - I thought PLAIN rather than PLANT.