CRYP TIC CROSSWORD

Across

1 East European briefly securing time in charge of party matters? ( 8) 5 Bit of change for officer? ( 6) 9 Briton gallantly defends this monarchy ( 5)

10 Bird in a spot, having lost tail in plant ( 9) 12 Those euros exchanged in treasury ( 10) 13 Two metallic elements in minimal supply in rock ( 4) 15 Artist ate out after work, eating bad stew ( 11) 16 Stretch out in bed maybe for story ( 3) 17 Name given to an elderly relation? ( 3) 18 Improved performance needed by little man getting 0! (6,5) 20 One languishing? Vitality must be found ( 4) 21 Amadeus is one well known in musical circles ( 6,4) 24 Something wicked, you might say, presented by the little girl reasoning? ( 9) 26 Label the French used in presentation of information (5) 27 Bear stopped short outside old city ( 6) 28 Eastern isle occupied by extremely common person ( 8)

Down

1 River volunteers getting pipe down for chemical ( 6)

2 Nothing upsetting on journey, in a manner of speaking ( 5) 3 Path of car or jet moving into territory’s borders ( 10) 4 Slide with outer coating slightly deficient ( 3) 6 Responsible for maiden? ( 4) 7 Poster with a pleasant message ( 3,6) 8 Belief about brave man, soldier imprisoned ( 8) 10 I sport chest that’s exceptional – surgery responsible? ( 11) 11 Entertainments not to be taken at face value? ( 11) 14 Get so cruel, wandering around city ( 10) 15 Vehicle running into grass put on new course? ( 9) 16 Person responsible for pub seen scurrying around after insects ( 8) 19 Head of faculty holds this person to be lower in reputation (6) 22 US gangster and tramp contributing to book ( 5) 23 Rubbish piling up around hospital can make one thunderous ( 4) 25 Anger with which father dismisses son ( 3)