CRYPTIC CROSSWORD

31/12

ACROSS

1. Agrees Tory concerns in business (8)

4. So shut out! (4)

8. Allow one to be a landlord (3)

9. Wood for modelling is unfinished, too, in some degree (5)

10. Impair masculine address with a heart (3)

11. Not being fleeced, there’s no rush to scramble north (7)

12. Little Thomas is with last of the three ones there (5)

13. From which those at sea may take to the air (6,5)

17. Blow-out, but it includes rather small starters (5)

18. Wrong axiom, nothing less, is word for silence at the most (7) 20. How sheepish she may appear in the wet (3)

21. Sex appeal among us German groups of individuals (5)

22. Head off the wretched child who will be a deserter (3)

23. Carry a betting machine (4)

24. Depend on holding a bit of a dollar not so long ago (8)

DOWN

1. Paint – but not white paint? (6)

2. Remarks that may be printed on staves (5)

3. After 5th December, Noel is misplaced but fruitful (5)

5. ‘Drake he’s in his ___ till the great Armadas come’ (Newbolt) (7) 6. One of the ways of the townsmanwatling, say (6)

7. Bills the formidable women (10)

9. Having been made to emerge, published something (7,3)

14. Argues it’s non-u in a heartless lot having nothing bigger (7) 15. Don’t agree to it, that’s the thing to aim for (6)

16. This my undoing, where forging is concerned (6)

18. One discovered in heart of labyrinth to be sweet and corny (5) 19. Remit change, and you may deserve recognition (5)