TELEGRAPH CROSSWORDS

Across

4 Sections of American agents in groups (8) 8 Gender king switched over – one of the ancient kings (6) 9 Woman of the upper classes, friend when Christmas comes round (8) 10 Like hot desert home that’s most calm (8) 11 In this there will be praying mantis on the move (6) 12 Man perhaps following car having left city (8) 13 Unfashionable parts of city away from the centre (8) 16 Professional army officer keeping to correct procedure (8) 19 There may be pollutant gases here? It’s uncertain (2,3,3) 21 Seem to change sides finally, making request for money? (6) 23 Selfish types, say, to sit around and start to swank (8) 24 Menacing coming from the left (8) 25 Old cricketer building three-figure score (6) 26 Festival flower, one left out in the wind (8)

Down

1 Some of those Vera loved – quite a number (7) 2 No longer having little room, hospital department is first-class (9) 3 Officials, people telling others to ’old their tongue? (6) 4 Moving feebly, tourist at famous sight in America (6,2,7) 5 Heartless man is thug, horrible person with weapons (8) 6 Make law – stick up document finally (5) 7 Irish politician going about unaccompanied is somehow able to grasp things (7) 14 Everybody I have upset scoffed, revealing temper (9) 15 One carving out a living? (8) 17 It’s not original material, article about tailless insects (7) 18 Loud way of talking putting daughter off stories (7) 20 Leaders in public health in city once getting prize (6) 22 Poet in small room, endlessly upset (5)