daily double

the hard way

ACROSS 1 Maybe his place is rented (8) 5 Czech river - or German (4) 9 They are defrauded of a penny in fees (5) 10 Ring me first if there’s dispute about leisure hours (4,3) 11 Take over all rocks that are important in building (12) 13 Made eyes red although out of the wind at first (6) 14 Self-determination to work on it somehow (6) 17 But a brunette winning a beauty contest may not be (6,6) 20 Unconventional policeman when not on duty (7) 21 Heather is a girl’s name (5) 22 It has its ups and downs as a plaything (2-2) 23 Type of set meals suitable for vegetarians (8) DOWN 1 Said to have gone by boat - but as a passenger (4) 2 Have a little drink then sit and think (7) 3 Wasn’t allowed to succeed? (12) 4 Small number attempt to entertain a public official (6) 6 Kill a doctor and confess (5) 7 Exchange of gunfire’s declining (8) 8 Useless demonstration of hunger marchers? (5,7) 12 Your ills may turn out to be imaginary (8) 15 Tend to tip up (7) 16 Old man’s edgy companion? (6) 18 This by itself indicates equality (5) 19 Common food (4)

the easy way

ACROSS 1 A cushy job (8) 5 As soon as (4) 9 Acknowledge (5) 10 On horseback (7) 11 Rapidly (2,5,5) 13 Breed of sheepdog (6) 14 A tendency in person’s character (6) 17 In impetuous, blundering way (12) 20 Go away to avoid arrest (7) 21 Mass of cast metal (5) 22 Heartfelt (4) 23 Quiet and out-of-the-way (8) DOWN 1 False (4) 2 Only in name (7) 3 Begin to see (5,5,2) 4 Observation (6) 6 Distinguished (5) 7 Long-lasting (8) 8 Quite ordinary (3-2-3-4) 12 Sheath for sword (8) 15 So-called (7) 16 Waste time (6) 18 A fine cotton thread (5) 19 Horse-breeding establishment (4)