THE CROSSWORDS

CRYPTIC CLUES ACROSS

1 On which people sit amongst the beds? (6,4) 8 He doesn’t do much to earn his description (5) 9 Piercing noise cut an artist short (7)

10 A cry I’ll reproduce in poetic vein (7)

11 Key man in making key adjustments (5) 12 Small number take off clothing and fall asleep (3,3)

14 Fights to protect one’s property (6)

17 Stick in a sculptor as the answer (5) 19 Idealistic, upper class head Scot (7)

21 Teller - and where he may work (7) 22 Amounts of water coming from leaks (5) 23 Obligation paid to established customs (6,4)

DOWN

2 Dull are attracted by variety (7)

3 Cord I twisted into a sort of column (5) 4 Christmas present 45 inches long (6) 5 Letter or note written by devout holy man to the French (7)

6 Giant gets it in brown (5)

7 Makes another gift - on one’s behalf? (10) 8 Ethnological definition of the British Grand Prix? (6,4)

13 In fact a wild enthusiast (7)

15 A game little insect (7)

16 Insolence of the centre right is inviting disaster (6)

18 Put out what may be a plea for employment (5)

20 Do lie about being tipsy (5)

QUICK CLUES ACROSS

1 Small, acid fruit (10) 8 Foundation (5)

9 Biblical giant (7)

10 Weakly sentimental (7) 11 Contagious fear (5) 12 Instrumentality (6) 14 Inadequate (6)

17 Prevent (5) 19 Conflagration (7)

21 To limit (7)

22 Make suitable (5)

23 Abrupt withdrawal from drugs (4,6)

DOWN

2 Conceal from view (7) 3 Rope-making fibre (5) 4 Past (6)

5 To backslide (7)

6 Feel longing for (5) 7 Lose one’s nerve (7,3) 8 A small Indian fish (6,4) 13 Friendly (7) 15 Saturation gunfire (7) 16 Straightforward (6) 18 A uniform jacket (5) 20 Intuitive discernment (5)