daily double

the hard way

ACROSS 1 Hard task master? (8) 5 So far fit for the job (2,2) 9 A four-figure sum can be impressive (5) 10 Abuse a pen for making a mess (7) 11 Failures expected in electrical faults (12) 13 Sound cover for some entertainment (6) 14 Group endlessly employed in making money (6) 17 Yet always the greater? (12) 20 Money used in stories about the New Testament (7) 21 Reunite it with new string (5) 22 Girlfriend who could be blind or stoned (4) 23 What Cinderella became after twelve (8) DOWN 1 Going off in great spirits (4) 2 Comes to cheer as arranged (7) 3 It has a stirring influence beneath the surface (12) 4 Have prospects? (6) 6 Clear the ground (5) 7 Acts as a superintendent abroad we hear (8) 8 To complain so may be common all over the world (12) 12 Issued with both the name and date wrong (8) 15 Before the vote this will decide the issue (7) 16 He acts in a refined way (6) 18 Servant brought up the box with beer in (5) 19 Try to listen! (4)

the easy way

ACROSS 1 Small freshwater crustacean (8) 5 Of heroic proportions (4) 9 To outrage (5) 10 Ominously close (7) 11 Explain wrongly (12) 13 Peculiar trait (6) 14 Balk (6) 17 Attract most admiration (5,3,4) 20 Halted (5,2) 21 In imitation of (5) 22 Assign a value to (4) 23 A stake (8) DOWN 1 Informal conversation (4) 2 Put to practical use (7) 3 Conform to general will (4,4,4) 4 Greet respectfully (6) 6 Earlier (5) 7 Ponder (8) 8 The press (6,6) 12 Take into account (8) 15 Champion of a cause (7) 16 Polish-born composer and pianist (6) 18 Demand and obtain (5) 19 Particles of stone or sand (4)