THE CROSSWORD

PUZZLE 15153

CRYPTIC CLUES ACROSS

1 Obtain pass (4,2)

4 Sound of water? (6)

9 Flotilla leader almost breaks up; some wreckage seen (7)

10 Supper dish (5)

11 A new duo I gave a hearing (5) 12 Many set free (7)

13 Does it make things barely visible? (3,5,3) 18 Film show (7)

20 Alert for a change in the future (5)

22 A coin used by many in the kingdom (5) 23 Such food is grown, naturally! (7) 24 Mum, listen for a change (6) 25 Condescends to work in a ship (6)

Down

1 Strange fact on an Islamic habit (6) 2 Made a low sound (5)

3 Graduates meeting shortly? It’s in the wind (7)

5 Jason’s craft heads north in the atmosphere (5)

6 Utterly unacceptable evidence (7)

7 We hear there’s ill-feeling for some people (6)

8 Tom Baker in a muddle going on board (11) 14 Sole reinforcement (7)

15 The pleasure the Turkish take in a sweet (7)

16 Accounts to be settled in large numbers (6)

17 Record bands (6)

19 Type of French novel (5)

21 It takes two to add zest to love (5)

QUICK CLUES ACROSS

1 Absolve (6) 4 Solemn promise (6) 9 Deep purplish red (7) 10 Social class in India (5) 11 Clean with a broom (5) 12 Immortal (7)

13 Past times fondly remembered (4,3,4) 18 Advance showing (7) 20 Brawl (5)

22 Wear away (5)

23 Country of West Africa (7) 24 Struggle (6)

25 State categorically (6)

DOWN

1 Freedom to make use of (6) 2 Absolutely (5) 3 Lacking flavour (7) 5 Readily understood (5) 6 Fate (7)

7 Power (6)

8 At height of activity (2,4,5) 14 Oppressive (7) 15 Compensation paid for injury (7)

16 Cheerful and optimistic (6) 17 Go away (6)

19 Perfect model (5) 21 Substantial (5)