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The idea of the hidden hare is very good, and it would be in keeping with the way that the theme was treated at the time.

The problem, surely, is that 'four consecutive letters in a straight line' within the creature's profile could only lead to ARCH, at least if we want to go on believing that plain English is involved.

So what about the theory that those four letters are in the preamble? It would be very perverse of the setter to think he had to give a hidden indication of HARE in that way. Once you have the reference to Ampthill then either memory or the internet leads you straight to the bleedin' obvious.

And wouldn't it have been enough just to say 'four consecutive letters'? The addition of 'in a straight line' is only needed if the letters are in the grid.

Just to rub salt in the collective wound, I see that the solver who posted first on AB (at 19:22 on Friday 28th!), with no indication of uncertainty or dissatisfaction, has now put up this:

"Poat is a very ingenious setter: I didn't complain about this puzzle in my original post, and I still don't want to complain."

.......Perhaps he is Poat!

...or he could be bluffing!

Having only just got onto this on return from abroad I may have missed much of the earlier discussion. But is it possible that the words "in a straight line" apply only to how it appears in the instructions whereas the "highlight" in the crossword could be the right-angle HAR/E? Sorry if this tired latecomer is adding something already covered and discarded.

I just want to be put out of my misery.

What does 'having followed the trail' mean. Does it end at CLOSE BY AMPTHILL or does it continue further into the search area?

Nice idea, but if so how do we choose which of the bent hares to highlight?

The only one that appears in "SEARCHAREA" in the crossword?

New to this forum having become a Listener 'addict' this year! Is it possible that the four letters could be something other than HARE? Just a thought....

Had the same thought Penden, but then my mind went blank. So many have grid-searched and failed.....................