{ THE CROSSWORDS }

CRYPTIC CLUES

ACROSS

1 It’s a mistake to kiss; one may be fired (11) 9 Kind of entrance that confuses singers (7) 10 Such a cut may be seen in a ring (5)

11 It’s purely symbolic (4)

12 Element may be Athenian in any case (8) 14 A young crab? (6)

16 I have found it in a Greek dictionary (6) 18 What scores of young people are in? (8) 19 It’s a mixed drink (4)

22 Mother has a look back for a girl (5) 23 Joke about girl being very moral (7) 24 Hailing distance? (6,5)

DOWN

2 Lawful time up in the fifties (5) 3 When a division is called for, they won’t agree (4)

4 Adjustment in ages for review (6) 5 Bouquet I ordered from this shop? (8) 6 Speculate about quiet spouse (7) 7 Hunting season problem for the easily bored? (7,4)

8 Provisional allowances for serving men (4,7)

13 Control shown as others fall (8) 15 Report rewritten about one comic character (7)

17 Politician in new test case appeals (6) 20 Start to fight (3-2)

21 A span of roguishness (4)

QUICK CLUES

ACROSS

1 West African republic (6,5) 9 Impolite (7)

10 Block of cast metal (5)

11 Bit of fun (4)

12 Studious investigation (8) 14 Counterfeiter (6)

16 Win over (6)

18 Rapturous (8)

19 Smile radiantly (4)

22 An artificial fibre (5)

23 To dampen (7)

24 Normal depreciation (4,3,4)

DOWN

2 Bring upon oneself (5) 3 Be delirious (4)

4 Joined by treaty (6) 5 Widespread outbreak (8) 6 Oil-producing African country (7) 7 In high spirits (4,2,5)

8 Now (2,3,6)

13 Old family servant (8) 15 Determination (7)

17 Hired killer (6) 20 Additional (5)

21 Languish (4)