H CROSSWORD NO 1,896 H

TO ENTER Complete the crossword and count how many times the letter ‘S’ appears in the grid. Post your entry to YOU Crossword No 1,896, PO Box 5332, Cardiff Lane, Dublin 2. Closing date is Friday, March 15. One random winner from all correct entries will win a €15 book voucher. The winner will be notified within 14 days (telephone number required). Solution in two weeks.

ACROSS

7 Kingdom on the Persian Gulf (7)

8 The capital of

Cyprus (7)

10 Little Lord in a novel by Frances Hodgson Burnett (10)

11 Evade an aquatic bird from Aylesbury? (4)

12 Became more easy-going (8)

14 Surname of Thomas, the headmaster of Rugby School, and his son, Matthew, the poet (6)

15 Complicatedly (11)

19 (and 23 across, 26 across and 3 down) Proverb suggesting that being a good person will help you sleep properly (1,5,10,2,1,4,6)

20 My fault: an acknowledgment of guilt (3,5)

22 What Maureen Lipman or Joan

Collins can put before their name (4)

23 See 19 across

25 Musician who performs unaccompanied by other musicians (7) 26 See 19 across

DOWN

1 A remedy for all ills (7)

2 Small songbird (4)

3 See 19 across

4 (Chiefly US) Building which a council uses as its main offices (4,4)

5 Denoting food prepared to a very high standard (6,4)

6 19th-century US

President (surname) who was the first to be assassinated (7)

9 Perplexing or embarrassing situation (11)

13 Spotted or saw (4,4,2)

16 Prediction, prophecy (8)

17 Country through which the equator runs (7)

18 Designate, stipulate (7)

21 Admission, entry (6)

24 Point in the right direction? (4)