THE CROSSWORD

PUZZLE 14967

CRYPTIC CLUES ACROSS

1 Looking about (9) 8 In any case there’s no trouble (5) 9 Savings book (7) 10 Dennis did the wrong thing making a comeback (6) 11 Made up for having wrong date on the inside (6) 12 Impact he made in strong terms (8) 15 No longer minded being drawn out? (8) 18 Poor soul that is the label for a girl (6) 20 Characteristics of a deranged artist (6) 21 He mocks a glutton (7) 22 What’s more, he may stand out in a

crowd (5) 23 He acts disagreeably and upsets

residents (9)

DOWN

2 Build straight up (5) 3 An egg I scrambled; obviously not new-laid (6) 4 Benefit is cut about a quarter (8) 5 Decorate heartlessly and it becomes gaudy (6) 6 It doesn’t make sense but put it in anyway (7) 7 The Mob fix the nicest day for a hit (9) 11 Sailor sent to look up those missing (9) 13 They serve as hangers-on in the security business (8) 14 Lift most of the secrecy (7) 16 Turn to band with faint praise (3,3) 17 Bird endlessly panting (6) 19 City investment? (5)

QUICK CLUES ACROSS

1 Existing state of affairs (6,3) 8 Lucky accident (5) 9 Decline to vote (7) 10 Unusually talented (6) 11 Dutiful reverence (6) 12 An external renovation (4-4) 15 Powerfully illuminated (8) 18 Surrounded by (6) 20 Reach destination (6) 21 Narrow-minded intolerance (7) 22 Large northern sea-duck (5) 23 Body of research experts (5,4)

DOWN

2 Socially unacceptable (5) 3 A bright golden auburn (6) 4 Malevolent (8) 5 Tenure of post in government (6) 6 Keep up (7) 7 Advantage over the competition (4,5) 11 Incompletely planned (4-5) 13 A mention in dispatches (8) 14 Gradually destroy (7) 16 Turn aside (6) 17 Equip (3,3) 19 Temptress (5)