THE CROSSWORDS

PUZZLE 15994

CRYPTIC CLUES ACROSS

1 A sign that a professional man is prepared to do business (5,5) 8 Lag behind, right in the rear (5) 9 Well content in Wonderland (7) 10 So point out there’s more than one choice (7)

11 He’s riled perhaps, but does very little (5)

12 She turned to stone (6)

14 A pretty useless object (6) 17 They object to a point in subject under discussion (5) 19 Saw how red wine should be served (7)

21 It may be taken as an offence (7)

22 Diana is out to become a nymph (5)

23 Famous Western stage partnership (5,5)

DOWN

2 Powerful agency about to take

on a member of the cast (7) 3 Ovals? Possibly rounds (5) 4 Chemical evidence of cannabis

smoking? (6)

5 Fresh air came to the country

(7)

6 Excellent, if not fast, way to surpass others (5)

7 Wrongly briefed about the

finish but made allies (10) 8 Showing consideration or

maybe just giving it (10) 13 General in supreme command

apparently (7)

15 Gambling reversal? (7)

16 Ernest goes out and comes in

(6)

18 Drinking bender (5)

20 Got an order for the Friendly

Islands (5)

QUICK CLUES ACROSS

1 Easy alternative (4,6)

8 Vast crowd (5)

9 Quandary (7)

10 Muslim month of fasting (7) 11 Pious (5)

12 Conclusion (6)

14 Speaking easily and well (6) 17 City (5)

19 Hostile (7)

21 Atrocious (7)

22 Factory (5)

23 Risk all in a venture (2,3,5)

DOWN

2 Rower (7)

3 General tendency (5) 4 Stickler for details (6) 5 Contrary to law (7)

6 Rover (5)

7 Carefree situation (4,6) 8 Relentlessly contested (4-6) 13 Departure ceremony (4-3) 15 Set aside for purpose (7) 16 Thick rope (6)

18 Fetch (5)

20 Venomous snake (5)