CRYPTIC CROSSWORD

ACROSS

1. It is put on bed to be an antidote to suffering, one hears (11)

8. Current that may give one a hitch below the surface (8)

9. Closely study what may exude perspiration (4)

10. Stop one doing what one has half made up one’s mind to do (5)

13. Direction to take seat and make the first third (4)

16. Hold it, Steve – right? Any time! (4)

17. At some time somebody indefinite holds first of ceremonies (4)

18. When the way one feels has returned, pronounce judgment (4)

20. Pass one through the bank, it’s quite plain (5)

24. Move, like a boat, north – what a bore! (4)

25. Salon Beau Nash may have known where one can come clean (8)

26. Studying a bit of office furniture like a lectern (7-4)

DOWN

2. Do up Derby and steeplechase front-runners for this price (4)

3. Hold baby up in one’s runabout (5)

4. Stimulate memory of woman about to give the go-ahead (5)

5. A bit to try with the top off is more than enough (5)

6. Six-hour periods allotted for paying interest? (7-4)

7. They may take a beating, but don’t get steamed up (11)

11. Before sol-fa is scaled, it should do one good (5)

12. It may excite us to be surrounded by fish-eggs (5)

14. Old gossip who addressed Mum as Sis? (4)

15. Principal man gives the girl a ring (4)

19. Girl taken in by Mother finds the food heavenly (5)

21. Come to hear of fifty to get by working for it (5)

22. At length it proved painful (5)

23. Stud raised by one at the top (4)