CRYP TIC CROSSWORD

ACROSS 1 A loveless sign? So be it! (4) 3 Gives gears thrashing,

like angry driver? (10) 9 Volunteers doubling

up for so long (2-2) 10 Angry group of magistrates should be impartial (10) 11 Number competent

that can be kept (7) 13 Wicked end to week, a kind you don’t want to finish (7) 14 Enjoyment of naughty cat

in act of destruction (11) 18 Foreign father with broad smile had to travel around (11) 21 Lady looking forward

to the match? (7) 22 The old man, short character that is often very colourful (7) 23 Pet? It ceases to wander around in the morning (7,3) 24 Spot troublesome animal

in garden? (4) 25 They initially organised squatting protest about nothing in passage (10) 26 High-class violin not the first requirement for jazz (4) DOWN 1 Height of talent learner’s shown for piano (8) 2 Catch fish after getting new net (8) 4 Shrub needing good‘ack? (5) 5 Taking it easy, is inside, not giving in (9) 6 Wealthy firm (11) 7 Being victorious but not initially in baseball division (6) 8 Branch of philosophy, hard one for unorthodox sect to grasp (6) 12 Wolves keeping supporters outside, walkers with their kit? (11) 15 Soldiers in a salute showing assent (9) 16 Area 26 set up somewhere in Devon (8) 17 Cleric is right, always having the last word? (8) 19 Cricket side determined to get compensation (6) 20 Part of Japan, a magnificent country (6) 22 Letters at bottom of page about the French philosopher (5)