{ THE CROSSWORDS }
CRYPTIC CLUES ACROSS
1 Writer never reviewed (5) 8 Missing persons in the family? (8) 9 Intriguing bunch of politicians (5) 10 Hat-maker badly taken in by a gold-digger (8) 11 To avoid it, make a stew hash (5) 12 She’s not allowed in bed! (3) 16 Ship’s mascot for the ancient mariner? (3,3) 17 Charm, possibly earned (6) 18 Go back to sea? (3) 23 Crouch, looking stocky (5) 24 They don’t own the van so it turns out (4-4) 25 Club he joined for a swim (5) 26 Not all on this page? (8) 27 Depended on the French worker (5)
DOWN
2 Arose from having the call-up date wrong (8) 3 Need one tap repaired when the flow is minimal (4,4) 4 Dynamic proposition to be voted upon (6) 5 Speak when you’re spoken to (5) 6 Soldier and worker combine in a big way (5) 7 It wasn’t worn long during the Sixties (5) 12 Silver key period (3) 13 Sort of bill that upsets Ben (3) 14 Nowadays, treat it as comparable with plenty (8) 15 Battle remembered in the long run (8) 19 Cold tart (6) 20 He holds a title briefly (5) 21 Apparent reduction of overtime (5) 22 It may be cocked with the thumb - and nose! (5)
QUICK CLUES
ACROSS
1 Negligent (5) 8 Done in good faith (4,4) 9 Light meal (5) 10 Whenever requested (2,6) 11 Following (5) 12 In favour of (3) 16 A project (6) 17 Under control (2,4) 18 Marry (3) 23 Raid (5) 24 Large constricting snake (8) 25 Noisy and disorderly (5) 26 Sympathy-seeking tale (3,5) 27 Distinctive mark (5)
DOWN
2 Dismal expression (4,4) 3 Askew (8) 4 West Pacific island (6) 5 Vacillate (5) 6 Shade of purple (5) 7 Intoxicating (5) 12 Not many (3) 13 Disencumber (3) 14 Conclusive gunfight (5-3) 15 Together (2,6) 19 To last (6) 20 Treacherous (5) 21 Perhaps (5) 22 Loot (5)