CRYP TIC CROSSWORD

ACROSS 1 Sailor in hat the

French gifted (7) 5 Public vehicle permit (3,4) 9 Give Heather ring,

making kind of speech (5) 10 Found someone in error and dismissed a striker (6,3) 11 It bars the entrance to unwanted visitors (10) 12 One can get free

from this knot (4) 14 Form of credit, cheap — hurries

to make arrangement (4-8) 18 Does such a constituency

have MPs on edge? (8,4) 21 Split the charge for hire (4) 22 Operatic boatmen? (10) 25 What’s that? Another

party invitation? (4,5) 26 Dark period for titled

fellow losing his ‘K’ (5) 27 The estate agent’s lying (7) 28 Absorbing business

transactions? (7) DOWN 1 Cut tail parts off pilchard to be cooked for Islamic leader (6) 2 A poor state to be in (6) 3 Inflammation from chin to ribs (10) 4 Do well, taking about ninety fish (5) 5 Shops providing bouquets I ordered (9) 6 District in London twinned with one in New York? (4) 7 Superior graduate on the rise ended cuddling secretary (5,3) 8 Lets out radio’s a gift (4,4) 13 Developed reliance on ship (5,5) 15 Unexpectedly able to speak in a flowery style (9) 16 Includes in shows of affection (8) 17 Send Tristan the wrong way round motorway (8) 19 Darwin’s crafty dog? (6) 20 Unaltered, it’s as I designed (2,2,2) 23 Material that’s dug up (5) 24 Darling pet for Wendy (4)