CRYPTIC SOLUTION

ACROSS: 8, All over 9, Getting at 13, Ol-I-ve 14, Drift 15, Again-St 16, Cheapen 17, D-re-ad 18, Drawn 20, Range 22, Stuffy 23, Rum-pus(s) 25, Lowdown 27, Ma-nsion 30, Galore 31, Ador-E-s 32, Sheer 35, Nose-s 36, No-is-e 37, Am-I-able 39, Article 41, Spend 42, Sa-L-ve 43, Like a shot 44, Con-firm

DOWN: 1, Pla-I-ce 2, So help me 3, Held one’s own 4, Beetle off 5, Strands 6, Ins and outs 7, Pawn 10, Con-cur 11, Find out 12, Stands 19, A-pp-rove 21, Noodles 24, Lays hands on 26, Dark secret 28, AD-mission 29, Orde-red 30, Genial 32, Slips off 33, Reeled 34, Int-E-nse 38, Bolero 40, Thin(g)