{ THE CROSSWORDS }

PUZZLE 15916

CRYPTIC CLUES ACROSS

1 Turn buns when cooked and well-browned (8) 5 Craft lacking a prow? (4)

9 Pop music, with the French missing the boat (5) 10 Tolerance in judging others makes us cautious about it (7)

11 Study perfume of the valley that’s getting better (12)

13 Accelerate promotion (4,2)

14 Capacity to get on after bitterness? (6)

17 Nine starting in an uncompromising way (12) 20 Sheet that doesn’t stay put - it’s cold! (3,4) 21 Vehicles making a stylish comeback (5)

22 Turns and leaves (4)

23 False encouragement given on debts (8)

DOWN

1 It’s worn to order perhaps (4)

2 Offensive rumour about an upcoming doctor (7) 3 Not good value for a bun perhaps (12)

4 Girl Colin goes out East to see (6)

6 A team giving confidence to those watching the play (5)

7 Attempt to get smart at the meeting (8)

8 How a chap’s amusement may be killing? (12) 12 Here’s hoping I spring a surprise (8)

15 Yearn to have an attempt in the distant past (4,3)

16 Napping, the general is swallowed by a snake (6)

18 Subject those people to the ultimate in abuse (5)

19 Is cited twice in divinity (4)

QUICK CLUES

ACROSS

1 Bitterness (8)

5 Very long time (4) 9 Exemplary (5)

10 Excessive effort (7) 11 Obstinate in opposing (12) 13 From confidential source (6) 14 Readily available (2,4) 17 Above reproach (7,5) 20 Deferential esteem (7) 21 Proprietor (5)

22 On the side of (4)

23 Regarded as proper (8)

DOWN

1 Money given to the poor (4) 2 Reparation (7)

3 Insipid (4-3-5)

4 Advance information (6)

6 West African country (5) 7 Loneliness (8)

8 In irresponsible manner (4,3,5) 12 Plane’s propeller (8)

15 Contrary to (7)

16 Occult (6)

18 To distress (5)

19 To urge to action (4)