the crosswords
CRYPTIC CLUES ACROSS
1 A horse being exercised on the beach (6) 4 Surprise shots in a melee (8) 9 Lets out American imprisoned in brawl (6) 10 Get an assorted haul with bait as usual (8) 12 The company is not out to make money (4) 13 Lives wildly producing social problems (5) 14 Sort of wolves apparently extinct? (4) 17 Overdrawing an account (12) 20 He has a small life interest (12) 23 Find places to stay in opposite directions (4) 24 One of Sheridan’s competitors (5) 25 Visitors to Sicily may see it before coming back (4) 28 Drop a hint to a close acquaintance (8) 29 Bound to come once a year (6) 30 Extensively used troops (8) 31 No more wine - that’s the limit (6)
DOWN
1 Things people write (8) 2 Crashed pilot has treatment provided here (8) 3 It’s made to measure (4) 5 Embarrassed lady describing pagan Rome? (7,5) 6 Disorientated Indo-European god (4) 7 Accustoms user in new process (6) 8 He has a title within his grasp (6) 11 In a way I serve to tell practically nothing (4,2,6) 15 Maturing drink in silver container (5) 16 In any case a refusal will not please (5) 18 Bitter criticism - I’d bear it somehow (8) 19 Honest deal? (8) 21 Expressed sorrow for sounding rough (6) 22 How to march on foot (6) 26 Doctor on morning rounds (4) 27 Top primate gets the vote (4)
QUICK CLUES ACROSS
1 Become affable (6) 4 Duplicitous (3-5) 9 Sagacity (6) 10 Canadian city (8) 12 Red gemstone (4) 13 Subsequent (5) 14 Entice (4) 17 Ulterior motive (6,6) 20 Unfair (5,3,4) 23 An affected attitude (4) 24 Almost perpendicular (5) 25 Middle East country (4) 28 Fail to notice (8) 29 Be acquitted (3,3) 30 Cud-chewing hoofed animal (8) 31 Hang around (6)
DOWN
1 Discreditable (8) 2 Meddlesome person (8) 3 Midday (4) 5 Symbol of cowardice (5,7) 6 State of fear (4) 7 Eastern Mediterranean island (6) 8 Unit of temperature (6) 11 Suave fashionable male (3,5,4) 15 Agitation (5) 16 Loafer (5) 18 Last (8) 19 Represent (5,3) 21 Tumult (6) 22 High regard (6) 26 Vigorous spirit (4) 27 Nought (4)