THE CROSSWORDS

PUZZLE 16025

CRYPTIC CLUES

ACROSS

1 Army takes a long time to get a certain prisoner (7)

5 A substitute for healing, perhaps (5)

8 An indication one wants to avoid any hostility (5,4)

9 It’s strange Dad losing his heart with love (3)

10 Saved a little piece for the artist (4)

12 Give an account of French writer (8)

14 This ring is impressive (6)

15 She dabbled with TNT in decimal quantities (6)

17 Stop and relax with a shower (8)

18 Hold fast (4)

21 Sort of ape trained to climb for food (3)

22 How the heat can knock one out (9) 24 Seven different levels (5)

25 Fancied one at the party, we hear (7)

DOWN

1 It’s cut from the wedding cake (5)

2 Fast runner down mountains (3)

3 Experts break the case (4)

4 Girl born to misrepresent the facts in return (6)

5 There must be the will to provide them (8)

6 Layman in the church, perhaps? (9)

7 Infuriates with fresh demands (7)

11 Member is slow to make a law (9)

13 Catches the sound of about ten cheers (8)

14 Weight on one’s conscience? (7)

16 Understand about the inn being exceptional for eating (6)

19 Increase the strain (5)

20 It flies - one type is highly strung (4)

23 Any stupid simpleton is, initially (3)

QUICK CLUES

ACROSS

1 Ghost (7)

5 Able to resist (5)

8 Accepting bribes (2,3,4)

9 Belonging to us (3)

10 Natural aptitude (4)

12 Explore for minerals (8)

14 Compulsion by threat (6)

15 Intelligent (6)

17 Outdoor (8)

18 Notion (4)

21 Bond (3)

22 Not at all (2,2,5)

24 Spiteful (5)

25 To dispute (7)

DOWN

1 Tine of a fork (5)

2 Behave (3)

3 In that case (4)

4 Scanty (6)

5 Enjoyment (8)

6 In accord (2,3,4)

7 For a start (7)

11 So as to impress others (3,6)

13 Legislative body (8)

14 Extreme (7)

16 Having beautiful views (6)

19 Valuable attribute (5)

20 Augury (4)

23 To mimic (3)