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I have all the thematic phrases now but help with what the perimeter says would still be welcome

Is the fifth O O FOOL? And the fourth looks as if it might end in SEATS.

Yes and yes, in my solution

It's the top row of the perimeter I need help with. Any hints?
Is PACKET there, coming around the corner?

Yes it is, Maggot1. Then a character from Treasure Island, thematically described

I must have spent 10 minutes starting at the extra words, and the perimeter, on at least a dozen occasions in the last several days and at no point - despite the hints given in this thread - has any glimmer of light appeared. I know who the nasty pirate is, but the preceding 5-letter adjective stirs no synapse anywhere. I’ve had the object to be highlighted throughout these dark tedious days (thank goodness for Santa to bring some excitement) but hunt as I may I can see nothing to connect it with anything other that the hidden message. If I were an old dog on its last legs some kind person would shoot me, but that’s a bit extreme. I would hate to end the first quarter of this ghastly century in ignorance, so …

Jockie, it’s not clear to me what you’re looking for. You seem to have what needs to be highlighted, and thus presumably the fifteen extra letters. You presumably also have the twenty superfluous words. You need to form the six members of the theme group. And to fill in the perimeter to give the cryptic hints. Which are you struggling with?

Yes, it’s interpreting the extra words and working out what is going on in the perimeter. You gave an earlier hint about RLS’s work, but the adjective eludes me. Two words fit, but neither produces illumination. The blackness and the blueness consequent upon my kicking myself will be wondrous to see, but it aint happening yet. I can’t tease out any group of which the seventh one is a member.

Ahhh ok. If you have the RLS character, on the top line of the perimeter, he’s preceded by a different adjective from normal. A synonym of that, when taken with his usual adjective would complete a three word thematic member which you should be able to form with the extra words

Thanks. It really really helps, Jockie, if you have the right extra word in the very first clue. Progress towards sore shins will now be swift.