CRYPTIC CROSSWORD

ACROSS

1. As tight as onions may be (7)

4. Low wall might appear at top of terrace (7)

8. It’s not often the Gunners get together with the Sappers (4)

9. Borrow name for it: it may be the femur (6-4)

11. He makes up the fire for the little cow (6)

12. Shapes the edges of the shellfish (8)

14. A trip taken when it gets dark? (9)

15. Grips a piece of mint like this (5)

17. Artfully escape from DA when woman is around (5)

18. The headmaster may attract some interest (9)

19. Wishes do get sorted out, but it’s not the main attraction (8)

21. A handy sort of fruit (6)

23. Pull it tight to attract a number of racehorses (10)

24. Lean against a bath that’s been put back (4)

25. Red, as in a sort of fish (7)

26. Rough cider and rum spy takes with carbon (7)

DOWN

1. Maybe to dream like Hamlet (9)

2. This is a two-horse outfit (8,3,4)

3. A drink for the doctor before lunch (4)

4. It drops in the castle gateway as the court spill out (10)

5. Rider’s aid wore out before end of April (5)

6. Put some snap into it! (10,5)

7. A length of hair maybe sets about right (5)

10. Boiler the pot calls black (6)

13. It won’t let the water go up the wall (4-6)

15. Informal party cola is provided for (6)

16. Chivalrous remark to nag all try to make (9)

19. Left and right teams (5)

20. Makes us his Japanese dish (5)

22. It’s our shoulders that bear the burden of responsibility (4)

YESTERDAY’S SOLUTION

Across: 7. Carpet sweeper 8. Established 12. Stride 14. Straws

16. Kicked 18. Series 19. Cooperating 23. Undercarriage

Down: 1. Game 2. Spot 3. Stable 4. Swains 5. Mesh 6. Mend 9. Sirocco 10. Elation 11. Asks 12. Sake 13. Dye 15. Toe 17. Drench 18. Stairs 19. Cone 20. Open 21. Ibis 22. Gags