daily double

the hard way ACROSS

1 Sphere of the occult (7,4) 9 Multiply without going forth (7) 10 Manged for example to turn round the stove (5) 11 Fuel container in military vehicle (4) 12 Don’t give up in attempt to get a win (3,5) 14 Cloth that is first choice with relatives (6) 16 A poem’s positive points (6) 18 Boring, unusual rites have nothing on me (8) 19 Passage for one from Oslo (4) 22 There’s nothing sinful about her (5) 23 His is a searching examination by all accounts (7) 24 When it’s too humid to hunt? (5,6)

DOWN

2 Steal in and get the bird (5) 3 Spring is something one may associate with flowers (4) 4 They’re cold-blooded and they’re calculating (6) 5 Cheap items don’t allow profits (8) 6 Neckline that may bring out a whistle (7) 7 Difference achieved by outstanding exam candidates (11) 8 Where people may drive after the service (6,5) 13 They will have marked cards, of course (8) 15 Not wholly biased (7) 17 Black marks for slanderous attacks (6) 20 Excel in striking a note (5) 21 It is thought to be almost perfect (4)

the easy way ACROSS

1 Like a bad dream (11) 9 Reading desk (7) 10 Provoke with mockery (5) 11 Be subject to change (4) 12 Loyal (8) 14 Neat and smart (6) 16 Regain consciousness (4,2) 18 Exceptional (8) 19 Miserable (4) 22 Exclusive (5) 23 A good buy (7) 24 Fighting (11)

DOWN

2 Bring upon oneself (5) 3 Careful attention (4) 4 Handbook (6) 5 Regular succession (8) 6 Confused fight (7) 7 Harsh taskmaster (5-6) 8 Having nothing to do (2,1,5,3) 13 In moral decline (8) 15 Stipulation (7) 17 Spoken (6) 20 Permission (5) 21 Annoying child (4)