{ THE CROSSWORDS }
CRYPTIC CLUES
ACROSS
1 The longest chord in non-musical circles (8)
5 Surrounded by a shadowy reflection (4)
9 Aside spoken by an actor? (5)
10 Where people are following their convictions (7)
11 The family’s failure makes a wretched story (4,8)
13 No return on this ticket (3-3)
14 Shoot something to eat (6)
17 Flags on the street (6,6)
20 Stillness subsequently broken by the French (7)
21 One thousand years old statue (5)
22 Timber trade (4)
23 Vertigo surprises (8)
DOWN
1 Not a cheap term of affection (4)
2 Sailor by himself finds a shellfish (7)
3 Doing someone a good turn possibly (12)
4 Is deep perhaps but may be detected (6)
6 New Zealander seen in the cinema or in the theatre (5)
7 Is untied maybe and split (8)
8 Having no like? (12)
12 Even agitato passage may be so written (8)
15 Work with a kind of musical note (7)
16 Agree it looks like what was despatched (6)
18 House constructed badly in Virginia (5)
19 Joins up four points (4)
QUICK CLUES
ACROSS
1 Cursory inspection (4-4)
5 Large stringed instrument (4)
9 Biased point of view (5)
10 Be victorious (7)
11 Very short of money (2,4,6)
13 Disgustingly dirty (6)
14 Gratify (6)
17 Menacing antagonist (4,8)
20 Entail (7)
21 Widespread dislike (5)
22 Gaelic name for Ireland (4)
23 Bluish violet gemstone (8)
DOWN
1 Expel (4)
2 Medium of communication (7)
3 Ignored and neglected (3,2,3,4)
4 Leave unprotected (6)
6 Conscious (5)
7 Perfected by practice (8)
8 Be vigilant (4,1,7)
12 Gushing (8)
15 Pleasing feature (7)
16 High regard (6)
18 Means to exert pressure (5)
19 Leave unmentioned (4)