THE CROSSWORD

CRYPTIC CLUES ACROSS

1 Holding an avaricious attitude (8) 5 A major land mass though it can be minor (4) 9 An island in the form of a ring (5) 10 Hill split by flood (7) 11 A prime minister showing craft? (7-5) 13 Officer found on the staff? (6) 14 Walk a short way and turn (6) 17 Only just obtained freedom? (6,6) 20 New names it provides for the residents (7) 21 Getting in a wild pet is silly (5) 22 Return tender love (4) 23 Supports and awaits instructions (6,2)

DOWN

1 Billy’s torn toga (4) 2 A start to five such letters heard in confessions (7) 3 Official crossing place (7,5) 4 Low-down instruction to mermaid catchers? (6) 6 Smooth look about a number (5) 7 Nevertheless desirous of obtaining a monopoly? (5,3) 8 An actor may take it when at a loss for words (6,6) 12 Not a generous period for an interval (8) 15 Possibly shore up a legendary character (7) 16 China and a meal get laid on the table (3,3) 18 There’s nothing more about a famous lover (5) 19 Visit to postpone (4)

QUICK CLUES ACROSS

1 Great misfortune (8) 5 Simulate (4) 9 Extremely disagreeable (5) 10 Anonymous (7) 11 Be deliberately unfriendly to (4-8) 13 Real (6) 14 Unfortunate condition (6) 17 Defy all credibility (6,6) 20 French Mediterranean

island (7) 21 Social blunder (5) 22 Fully revenged (4) 23 In the mind (8)

DOWN

1 A marine crustacean (4) 2 Omitted (4,3) 3 Exaggeratedly emotional (12) 4 Quick to take offence (6) 6 Warm and damp (5) 7 Avoiding extremes (8) 8 Utterly routed (2,4,6) 12 Meal grilled in the open air (8) 15 Triumphantly joyous (7) 16 On fire (6) 18 Spiny yellow-flowered shrub (5) 19 In high degree (4)

PUZZLE 14836