CRYP TIC CROSSWORD
ACROSS 4 Sections of American
agents in groups (8) 8 Gender king switched over —
one of the ancient kings (6) 9 Woman of the upper classes, friend when Christmas comes round (8) 10 Like hot desert home
that’s most calm (8) 11 In this there will be praying
mantis on the move (6) 12 Man perhaps following
car having left city (8) 13 Unfashionable parts of city
away from the centre (8) 16 Professional army officer keeping to correct procedure (8) 19 There may be pollutant gases
here? It’s uncertain (2,3,3) 21 Seem to change sides finally,
making request for money? (6) 23 Selfish types, say, to sit
around and start to swank (8) 24 Menacing coming
from the left (8) 25 Old cricketer building
three-figure score (6) 26 Festival flower, one
left out in the wind (8) DOWN 1 Some of those Vera loved
— quite a number (7) 2 No longer having little room, hospital department is first-class (9) 3 Officials, people telling others to ’old their tongue? (6) 4 Moving feebly, tourist at famous sight in America (6,2,7) 5 Heartless man is thug, horrible person with weapons (8) 6 Make law — stick up
document finally (5) 7 Irish politician going about unaccompanied is somehow able to grasp things (7) 14 Everybody I have upset scoffed, revealing temper (9) 15 One carving out a living? (8) 17 It’s not original material, article about tailless insects (7) 18 Loud way of talking putting
daughter off stories (7) 20 Leaders in public health
in city once getting prize (6) 22 Poet in small room,
endlessly upset (5)