BARE BONES

Our Bare Bones Crossword is unique because you have to complete the grid – numbers and squares – as well. We have inserted four black squares and four clue numbers to get you going. The crossword has a four-way symmetry: both top and bottom and left and right match, so you can fill in 12 more squares straight away. There is a prize of a Collins Pocket Thesaurus. Send your solution to: Bare Bones Puzzle No.593, The Irish Mail on Sunday, PO Box 5332, Cardiff Lane, Dublin 2. Entries must arrive by Friday (photocopies not accepted). The winner of Bare Bones No.592 is Jimmy Carthy, Drumcondra, Dublin 9.

Across

7 Low-flying creature of the night 8 Ship’s prison also includes gang member 10 The golfer’s sense of self-importance 11 Place of work right for a policeman 12 Army fellow is not specific 13 Wash-out student stole 14 Someone departing without a jemmy 19 Clergyman has lost one of his buildings 20 Witty remark makes point on two farm animals 21 Don’t stand for an untruth 22 Two men of foreign origin 23 Teacher seen back in prison

Down

1 Helpful thing, having registered an element 2 Exciting ending set at the coast 3 Illuminated concerning amount of liquid 4 Forcefully move a long boat 5 Fellow angry to get second highest award (Two words) 6 Stupidity shown by impractical ornamental building 8 Returned with drink to isolated place 9 Add online order for a flower 15 Sufficient to have beer with politician 16 Collapse in the number of rhinos 17 Start being at sixes and sevens 18 Small to medium craft is well turned out