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Cranberryboat, I may have misunderstood the preamble, but when I made “similar thematic changes to two words hidden in the grid (without encryption)”, I took it to mean not just that the two words discernible in the grid had not been encrypted, but that their replacements were not either. In other words, I simply replaced two instances of the fourth last word in the famous line with two instances of the last one. My encoding only related to the speaker.

Thanks Quisling - I think it is me misunderstanding the preamble, I couldn't figure out what the "without encryption" meant and then forgot about it - but that does explain the different way the two hidden words are transformed. So, no more loose ends - a hugely enjoyable puzzle, many thanks to Dysart!

That's how I read it, thanks quisling, the two hidden words involve no encryption, just "similar thematic changes".

Thanks, Muraría. I also wonder if the puzzle changed mid-stream. I’m thinking of the pertinent six cells in the SW corner of the grid, which might have been worked in at some stage

Before I start on the endgame, can I get some help with these..

13a - Jack turned to check on PC linking data (7)

I have a computing term for "linking data" but cannot parse any of it.

14d - King enters French capital informally in hooded coat (6)

Assuming I have 13a (above) correct, only one word fits my letter pattern P?RE?E - it's both a 'fruit-stone' and a 'hydrocarbon obtained by distilling coal', neither of which seem to tally with the clue?

Hi Brendan,
13a is 'the Jack of Hearts' (3), reversed, + what you do to check on a computer.
In 14d, I have a K (king) instead of your first E, in a slang word for Paris.

I don't get the 'Fla...' part of 23a, but the rest seems to fit.

I just realised that 'Fla' means it's an American term.

Ahh, I checked all my letters accept for that E because I was sure it was 'storemen' - will I never learn!

That 3 letter Jack rings a bell now you mention it, although Chambers says it's Clubs.

Many thanks Mattrom.

Of course, ♣ not ♥

Good everning, you all seem way ahead of me - which is not unusual; Isailed through the top half of the grid and, from the chhange apparent at 1A, to the theme and thus 43A (so far unchaged, as I have none crossing it) and 29D in both original and amended versions. Also as it happens 42A, though I think a previous poster said that isn't part of the theme - disappointingly in the circumstances! But this is mere peamble to saying that I have nothing but those and for 34D below the middle row (nor, yet, 23A).

Nudges towards any in upper part of the bottom half, would be much appreciated. (To be clear, I do have 25A, on as it were the eqautor.)

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