SOLUTION TO PUZZLE NO. 12,248

Across: 1 Evidence; 5 Acid; 9 Alas; 10 Spurious; 11 Curie; 12 Tripper; 13 General stores; 18 Absolved; 19 Scab; 20 Dormant; 21 Crate; 22 Dame; 23 Presence. Down: 2 Vulture; 3 Despite; 4 Capital letter; 6 Cropper; 7 Deserts; 8 Artist; 13 Guarded; 14 Nostrum; 15 Reload; 16 Observe; 17 Elastic.