the crosswords
CRYPTIC CLUES
ACROSS
1 The port was ruined after the hostilities (4-3) 5 Moved fast when account got in the red (5) 8 Inventor’s fate is to produce one thing after another! (5,2,6) 9 A hit I made in the Caribbean (5) 10 Dazed American general in retreat and encircled (7) 11 A household word in France (6) 12 Urges some simple modification (6) 15 Peremptory demand for a rise (5,2) 17 Dignified way to help (5) 19 A word of questionable value (13) 20 Blush when attacked (5) 21 They should be allowed to be themselves, we’re told (7)
DOWN
1 Sign of a repair in a bed (5) 2 Changing to steam trains? He should know (13) 3 Missing worker found in the annexe (7) 4 Former arrangement to change for the better (6) 5 Soundly criticise some light entertainment (5) 6 A small sum in compensation shows thoughtfulness for others (13) 7 Amounts of medicine appearing to act on wise men (7) 11 Not making a hit by being absent (7) 13 Is compelled to change a nag for a livelier horse (7) 14 Self-possession of a pal going round with an unruly mob (6) 16 Presumed a large number read badly (5) 18 Unused grounds (5)
QUICK CLUES ACROSS
1 State of southwest US (7) 5 Shun (5) 8 Imprison (3,6,4) 9 To correct (5) 10 To experience (7) 11 Cowardly (6) 12 Copper and tin alloy (6) 15 Sluggishness (7) 17 Unexpected defeat (5) 19 Predict (13) 20 Proportion (5) 21 Social conduct (7)
DOWN
1 Abundant (5) 2 Having common problems (2,3,4,4) 3 Behind time for arrival (7) 4 Hostility (6) 5 Extra (5) 6 Lavishly (2,1,5,5) 7 Put in place (7) 11 Fast sailing ship (7) 13 Gathering of old friends (7) 14 Redeem captive by payment (6) 16 Latin-american dance (5) 18 Timber (5)