CRYPTIC CROSSWORD

ACROSS

1. On the Wilton one is hauled over the coals (6)

8. Copper taking the air returning to the papal court (5)

9. It raises a conductor’s standing, or must be put right (7)

11. A game like baseball almost rose under revision (8)

12. In October, thief may be given a job at sea (5)

15. Without others singing one may hear some basso loudly (4)

16. How to arrange a shot of heroin (3)

17. A quiet period, with half-luck, will be halved (4)

19. The form has changed for physical education (5)

21. It takes the wine from half-made nectar (8)

24. In a trifling way practised in bed, bald as may be (7)

25. At start of ‘flu always have a high temperature (5)

26. Small animal from Kent, it might be (6)

DOWN

2. Is senior to the Naval rating who will wander, topless (5)

3. Draught turned into a pot (8)

4. Round trip turned out right (4)

5. Drop this griddle-cake (5)

6. Properly so-called, it’s dead in tune (4)

7. Fish looks to have a deep voice (4)

10. Humiliated by diet, I’m for changing it (9)

12. A striking attempt at a party (4)

13. Help a bat out with the A-Z (8)

14. It sounds as if it rushed up the smokestack (4)

18. How to inhale drug with a quick drink (5)

20. Put this bit together to make sense of it (5)

21. It’s a poor shot at plum pudding (4)

22. Hasn’t enough insurance for a customer (4)

23. Men standing side by side and smelling offensive (4)

SATURDAY’S SOLUTION

Across: 1. Conspire 5. Stamen 10. Night 11. Sharkskin 12. Rattled

13. Pass out 14. Reduce 16. Infants 19. Bricked 21. Remiss

25. Contact 26. Absence 28. Provoking 29. Nonet 30. Straps

31. Reversed

Down: 1. Contrary 2. Negated 3. Petal 4. Reside 6. Takes care

7. Make out 8. Ninety 9. Lapping 15. Cock-a-hoop 17. Certain

18. Asserted 20. Rancour 22. Innings 23. Scapes 24. Bangle 27. Since