THE CROSSWORD

CRYPTIC CLUES ACROSS

1 Refuse of autumn left out (5) 4 Seaman gives fortune to wife (7) 8 One who never can tell (3)

9 Ruling based on popular decisions (9) 10 More transparent pearl in production (7) 11 Pursue a sedentary occupation (3,2) 13 Choke that adjusts itself (6) 15 Strange noises affecting Greece and Cyprus (6)

18 Cause of cracks that can bring down the house (5)

19 One thing that stays hot in the fridge (7) 21 Monarch’s powerful blend of tea (9) 23 A feature of grain (3)

24 Peak time before the break (7)

25 It came back to beat a giant (5)

Down

1 No mortal abode could be so lumpy! (7) 2 Deadly hostility over mails being collected by the old system (9)

3 Left port with cargo (5)

4 Foreign city comes up in my reminiscences (6)

5 Friar’s at home and eats heartily (5,2) 6 The field in which cattle are fattened (3) 7 A fitting attempt at imposition (3-2) 12 Will meant to reform after the trial (9) 14 Authority’s abuse of freedom (7) 16 Ordains an arrangement for smoothing things out (7)

17 It’s the devil to turn when there’s a collision (6)

18 Small wood varies in scope (5)

20 Passed a writer in the street (5)

22 Peg’s style of shirt? (3)

QUICK CLUES ACROSS

1 Impervious (5)

4 A joint of beef (7) 8 Encountered (3)

9 Slight possibility (3,6) 10 Crime (7)

11 Main force of attack (5) 13 In short supply (6) 15 Unintelligent (6)

18 Drink made from apples (5) 19 The North Star (7) 21 Flattery (9)

23 Ventilate (3)

24 Specious excuse (7) 25 Healthily red (5)

DOWN

1 Self-important (7) 2 Without reservation (3,2,4) 3 Look of displeasure (5) 4 Snack bar (6)

5 Restrain (7)

6 Relatives (3)

7 Deal with (5)

12 The advantage (5,4) 14 Slaughter (7)

16 To ruin (7)

17 Short fast race (6)

18 Hold firmly in hand (5) 20 Passenger ship (5) 22 Benefit (3)