{ THE CROSSWORDS }
CRYPTIC CLUES
ACROSS
1 A motley collection of biblical characters (3,3) 4 A short time back (6)
9 In grave trouble, certainly in a pickle (7)
10 It’s a great change for her (5)
11 Perfume from far Oman (5)
12 Ran wild in captivity, causing dreadful loss of life (7)
13 Competent crew showing polite behaviour (4,7)
18 Where incoming mail is also appreciated, no doubt (7)
20 Girl that is unhappy being in the lead (5) 22 Turning point for an oarsman (5)
23 A reptile makes an unusual present (7) 24 Knock out some facts about an aircraft (6) 25 Not open for business, yet clinched the deal (6)
DOWN
1 John, half-gone on the bottle, is jolly (6) 2 Strange job an instrumentalist may hold (5) 3 Wreck aground despite exercising caution (2,5)
5 Composer of regal variations (5)
6 Opera in revival outdoors (4,3)
7 Temple ornament I’d made wrongly (6)
8 It’s clear-cut as a decisive trial (7,4) 14 Prospect denied the introvert? (7)
15 A snuff-taker (7)
16 Fastened securely, but escaped (6)
17 Ran fast when bombarded (6)
19 It is evident Trevor hasn’t finished getting up (5)
21 Waste grounds (5)
QUICK CLUES ACROSS
1 Serenity (6)
4 Specimen (6)
9 Very active (2,3,2)
10 Strike repeatedly (5)
11 Country of northeast Africa (5) 12 Underground prison cell (7) 13 Practical and realistic (4-2-5) 18 Start litigation (2,2,3)
20 Cloth made of flax (5)
22 Heavy black wood (5) 23 Daydreaming (7)
24 Decent (6)
25 Bring to a stop (6)
DOWN
1 Firmly established (6) 2 Window-glass cement (5) 3 Make more agreeable (7) 5 Trembling poplar (5) 6 Circumspect (7)
7 Conclusion (6)
8 Verbatim (4,3,4)
14 Result (7)
15 Covering entire surface (3,4) 16 Way out (6)
17 As a joke (2,4)
19 Faithful (5)
21 Gall (5)