THE CROSSWORD

CRYPTIC CLUES ACROSS

1 Plot involved danger (6) 4 Strike for which the catering staff is responsible (6) 9 Long walk pirates ordered (7) 10 It has a small part in a big picture (5) 11 Three goddesses lay out a feast (5) 12 Don’t approve but is liked somehow (7) 13 His products are really wicked (11) 18 Fruit that’s new to Capri (7) 20 It’s a toss-up at the Highland Games (5) 22 Illustrated the way to do it in opposite directions (5) 23 Accepts another contract and quits (7) 24 Thought it would be back in time (6) 25 An inventor having no team for backing (6)

Down

1 Leave to avoid punishment (3,3) 2 Respond to a plea to go back on the stage (5) 3 What a photographer’s nude model will be (7) 5 Can turn into American fighting formations (5) 6 Number set about making the interior Christmassy (7) 7 Named flier set the pace (6) 8 Uncalled for correspondence (4,7) 14 Display wine where it’s duty-free (7) 15 The defendant made charges (7) 16 Was not prepared to be a detective’s assistant (6) 17 Where you must go if you get time (6) 19 Can add to part of the poem (5) 21 Unsanctioned return journey in U-boat (5)

QUICK CLUES ACROSS

1 Perplex (6) 4 Assert strongly (6) 9 Funny (7) 10 In imitation of (5) 11 Forsake (5) 12 Scapegoat (4,3) 13 Take temporary charge (4,3,4) 18 Resentment (7) 20 Swindler (5) 22 Particular make of goods (5) 23 Difficult to catch (7) 24 To last (6) 25 Courage (6)

DOWN

1 Collapse under pressure (6) 2 Venomous African snake (5) 3 Follow in order (7) 5 In weak health (5) 6 Whole number (7) 7 Sufferer for a cause (6) 8 Suspenseful break in serial (11) 14 Experienced veteran (3,4) 15 Certainly (3,4) 16 Fit to be eaten (6) 17 Cross out (6) 19 Senior (5) 21 Brief flash of light (5)