the crossword

PUZZLE 15038

CRYPTIC CLUES ACROSS

1 It takes a crowd outside to excite trouble (7)

4 He has a name for being outspoken (5)

7 Upright part of a Christmas tree (4)

8 He raises unnecessary fears of a mistral storm (8)

10 Mad artists maybe create emotional scenes (10)

12 Spaniel follows the bird with hesitation (6)

13 Staff of office? (6)

15 Sam’s abroad substituting as a diplomat (10)

18 A right pursued by one US state and another (8)

19 Terrible person held in no great esteem (4)

20 A record number of contestants in the field (5)

DOWN

1 Prepared for conflict with certain members (5)

2 Popular viewpoint for example (8)

3 The French woman has wild rice round the cake (6)

4 Excellent example of rudimentary instruction (5-5)

5 An entrance I’d turn in at (4)

6 Unusually big task carried out by servicemen (7)

9 Notes or coins for the newsboy? (5,5)

11 Spendthrift pair involved with gold (8)

12 Ran wild in captivity causing dreadful loss of life (7)

14 Empty one container into another (6)

16 Drums in lively dances (5)

17 Take-off point with equipment (4)

QUICK CLUES ACROSS

1 The North Star (7)

4 Become alert and attentive (3,2)

7 Sea eagle (4) 8

Leverage (8)

10 A fair bargain (6,4)

12 Showing little concern (6)

13 Hand-tool with screw point (6)

15 Collapse emotionally (2,2,6)

18 Including latest information (2-2-4)

19 Stern (4)

20 Slightly drunk (5)

21 Affluent (7)

DOWN

1 Squeeze to extract juice (5)

2 Lose vitality (8)

3 Strongly built (6)

4 If one can call it that (4,2,2,2)

5 Pull violently (4)

6 Forestall (3-4)

9 Dawn (5,2,3)

11 Suddenly lose consciousness (5,3)

12 Motor-racing track (7)

14 Act obsequiously (6)

16 Wretched (5)

17 A short distance (4)