CRYPTIC CROSSWORD

ACROSS

1. Sweet stick to let fall (7)

5. Note a drop got from the chemist (5)

8. Twined the material in the finish (7)

9. Singular data giving one a line on shipping (5)

10. One from the crowd who isn’t keeping up (9)

12. Observe there to be no end to what will germinate (3)

13. It is a former deed, to be precise (5)

17. Each new day starts with its conclusion (3)

19. Always less, then? Not again! (9)

21. Am in a tizzy, which is madness (5)

22. Once old and upset, one may offer sympathy (7)

24. Is called before midday in the wrong 17 (5)

25. Fifty computers making up half of a board game (7)

DOWN

1. It will make things easier for rag with 12, perhaps (6)

2. Girl who is only a little socialist? (7)

3. Fabulous bird for Gibraltar, one is told (3)

4. Do some footwork, using this (5)

5. Presbyterian officer it is fashion to desert, or finish with (9)

6. Billets as produced by musicians (5)

7. Mother is on the sea in France with an old actor (6)

11. But it’s not the Emerald isle (9)

14. Show it’s true it’s about all right to cause anger (7)

15. A sailor will almost observe a fellow (6)

16. Step back in the wall at break (6)

18. Being dug from the ground up, it’s material (5)

20. Such cords are necessary to speak of (5)

23. Show one’s assent to the land of sleep (3) MONDAY’S SOLUTION

Across: 1. Country lane 8. Organ 9. Overdid 10. Sincere

11. Grace 12. Saying 14. Adores 18. Cheat 19. Anchovy

21. Parried 23. Obese 24. Periphrasis

Down: 1. Chooses 2. Urgency 3. Tinge 4. Yeomen 5. Avenged

6. End 7. Ledge 13. Nattier 15. Rioters 16. Shyness 17. Hard up 18. Capon 20. Choir 22. Rap