CRYPTIC CROSSWORD

ACROSS

1. They prepare courses, using a trowel (11)

8. A rajah’s wife who moved to the Near East (5)

9. Is left under a difficult to do the washing (7)

10. Bess may be seen around in the ambassador’s place (7)

11. The picture one gets with game of a sort (5)

12. Is bashful when about to go wrong: it’s the drink (6)

14. To plaster one with shot is hot stuff (6)

18. Conclusive evidence is given of printer’s trial (5)

19. In which the workers are responsible for their rise (7)

21. Push out in all directions a trade one made of it (7)

23. Sort of humour that’s liable to grow rusty? (5)

24. Made sweeping statement about the Greens, ideal for it (11)

DOWN

1. Fair men may be like dogs (7)

2. Dishonourable one might belong to it (7)

3. They’re up to a party with Mother Brown (5)

4. Calms everything, say, in the confusion (6)

5. Like the Pimpernel to live with Sue for a change (7)

6. Said one had left, being unhappy (3)

7. It isn’t so good in Glasgow or Selkirk (5)

13. Don’t allow oneself to make the chorus (7)

15. If pros sin like this, jails are there for them (7)

16. Passed on message early maybe to the editor (7)

17. One’s life’s work will rapidly run to it (6)

18. One may settle on a fish such as this (5)

20. Hearing may be a bit of an ordeal (5)

22. Faithfully track a mean scoundrel (3) SATURDAY’S SOLUTION

Across: 1. Novices 5. Sojourn 9. Automaton 10. Doing

11. Serially 12. Assist 14. Contender 16. Radio 17. Urges

19. Whereupon 21. Trader 22. Psalmist 26. Elate 27. Wellmeant 28. Shotgun 29. Dithers

Down: 1. Nears 2. Veteran 3. Comma 4. Settle down 5. Sand

6. Judas-tree 7. Unified 8. Night-gown 13. Green salad

14. Countless 15. Easter egg 18. Guanaco 20. Primate

23. Limit 24. Titus 25. Swan