CRYPTIC CROSSWORD

ACROSS

1. The sort of muscle a snake has (11)

7. By working the treadle, changed it (7)

9. Has the skill to remove the top of the wire (4)

11. The way to intone Gregorian plainsong (5)

12. Forcibly take a bit of melody (6)

14. Ability to perceive price-change with pence one brought about (11)

18. A patch of fine prose may be Tyrian (6)

20. Sort of shark one will treat with care and economy (5)

22. Be wildly enthusiastic as to the party (4)

23. This song, the cradle of rock music? (7)

24. Having a lame air, turn it blue (11)

DOWN

2. Tag roué might acquire for a gross offence (7)

3. One is cheated of this horseback journey one is taken for (4)

4. Gold piece a spacecraft may be in (5)

5. A marriage may be a game, to some (5)

6. Sort of alcohol shortly represented in the manuscript (5)

8. One lecture that could be in the bag (8)

10. The rifle Ann used for it was diabolical (8)

13. An agent finishes his apprenticeship early (3)

15. Its premature bringing down could ruin act (7)

16. Have fun with an athletic pursuit (5)

17. Barely a loss is made by this precious stone (5)

19. Be worthy of comparison with viral disorder (5)

21. It is a noisy closure to the winning of all the tricks (4)

YESTERDAY’S SOLUTION: Across 1. Suspect 5. March 8. Emperor 9. Litre

10. Provident 12. Ode 13. Pagan 17. Apt 19. Everybody 21. Rebus

22. Bespoke 24. Tread 25. Wrestle

Down 1. Sleepy 2. Suppose 3. Ear 4. Terse 5. Militancy 6. Ratio 7. Heeled

11. Impressed 14. Provost 15. Carrot 16. Pyrene 18. Table 20. Elbow

23. Sue