the crosswords

CRYPTIC CLUES ACROSS

1 Basic skill that’s artful (3,7)

8 Coach or train (5)

9 How to make a cancellation fully in order? (7) 10 Having the courage to boast about French wine (7)

11 Dispatched to the interior? (5)

12 Carry on with a summary (6)

14 Rising like some currency (6) 17 Surrounded by some of the team on gaining three points (5)

19 Severe tests of French in viva voce exams (7) 21 The French dug in in a listless way (7) 22 Tries arranging ceremonies (5) 23 Officially register a complaint (6,4)

DOWN

2 They’re not at home with regulations (7) 3 One of two keys I found in the kennel (5) 4 The minority of lawyers (6)

5 May be a reason for bad feeling (7)

6 A flash of brilliance (5)

7 They may take control when people fall asleep (10)

8 Table inlaid with nacre design for a place of worship (10)

13 Independent politician? (7)

15 Cat lies injured, stretcher required (7) 16 Road in centre of South African frontier (6) 18 He may have the lot or about three quarters (5)

20 It’s played up or down (5)

QUICK CLUES ACROSS

1 Stagy (10)

8 A Dutch cheese (5) 9 Show of boldness (7) 10 Suitability (7) 11 Inexperienced (5) 12 To downgrade (6) 14 Sparing (6)

17 Battle in France, 1916 (5) 19 Cause of ruin (7) 21 Harmful (7)

22 Spike used by climbers (5) 23 Italo-Swiss mountain (10)

DOWN

2 Having resident ghost (7) 3 Quickly (5)

4 Hardy (6)

5 Warhorse (7) 6 Bequeath (5)

7 Canada’s highest mountain (5,5) 8 Be sold for trifling sum (2,3,1,4) 13 Type of cigar (7)

15 Sparkle (7)

16 Continue to discuss (6) 18 Rule of conduct (5) 20 Degree of intensity (5)