QUICK CLUES

ACROSS

1 Lower oneself (5) 8 Expression of approval (4,4) 9 Purchaser (5) 10 Get along well (3,2,3) 11 Vertical (5) 12 Flushed in the face (3) 16 Nonetheless (4,2) 17 Resolved (6) 18 Degree of judo proficiency (3) 23 Conclude from facts (5) 24 Precisely at given time (2,3,3) 25 Pale purple (5) 26 Discuss at length (4,4) 27 Gem derived from oyster (5)

DOWN

2 Sweetheart (8) 3 Freedom from prejudice (4,4) 4 Compared with (6) 5 Intellect (5) 6 Lure into trap (5) 7 Implication of words used (5) 12 Slender stick (3) 13 Distracting noise (3) 14 Prehistoric period (5,3) 15 An appraising glance (4-4) 19 Highest point (6) 20 Course chosen in travel (5) 21 Motionless (5) 22 Unworthy of (5)