THE CROSSWORD

PUZZLE 14961

CRYPTIC CLUES

ACROSS

1 Give travel guidance the shortest way (6) 4 Verse and essay by US writer (6) 9 Doctor Cameron in work of fiction (7) 10 Article about that particular place (5) 11 Left in a unit entirely without support? (5) 12 Changed speed or rested (7) 13 Dictator of no great importance (5,6) 18 It goes on incessantly even when idle (7) 20 Deposit a jacket and hood (5) 22 Mother making the final move? (5) 23 I’ve cut the tips for the salad (7) 24 Withdraw a direction to surrender (6) 25 A very personal description (6)

DOWN

1 Died in a city in Natal (6) 2 Codeword signalling end of affair for young lover (5) 3 Show co-operation (7) 5 Where a washer is always available (2,3) 6 Traitor’s initial justification for his crime (7) 7 Gives way in determining the dividends (6) 8 Confidential sign employed by executives (11) 14 A commodity extensively used (7) 15 Quickly knock but to no avail (7) 16 Rascals given temporary accommodation on board (6) 17 Concentrate on providing a complete range (6) 19 Weary but tried anyway (5) 21 Show we hear to look back on (5)

QUICK CLUES

ACROSS

1 Try hard (6) 4 Arise casually (4,2) 9 Invigorate (7) 10 Emit audibly (5) 11 Steadfast in allegiance (5) 12 Assuredly (2,5) 13 Unrealistic hopes and dreams (3,2,3,3) 18 Boorish (7) 20 Exemplary (5) 22 Unexpected development (5) 23 Permanent (7) 24 Title of Roman emperors (6) 25 Discover presence of (6)

DOWN

1 Decorous (6) 2 Recover health (5) 3 Composer of The Four Seasons (7) 5 Ammunition for single shot (5) 6 Whatever is available (3,4) 7 Corsair (6) 8 Concisely expressed (2,1,8) 14 Be disposed (7) 15 In a body (2,5) 16 Of country life (6) 17 Dismount from horse (6) 19 Extremely (5) 21 Impel (5)