Cryptic
ACROSS
1. Among them I rate as the
chieftain (4) 8. I draw close to an unusual
playwright (5,5) 9. From sea-dogs lewd songs
are heard (8) 10. Silly, dunderheaded and
backward! (4) 12. What is paid to service
batteries (6) 14. Remained prim, by the
sound of it (6) 15. I guess different ones can be seen at the masquerade (6) 17. Exert pressure on a
worried sleuth (6) 18. See 16 Down 19. Becoming weary when
signalling (8) 21. Desire test to be diverted
to this way! (4,6) 22. He gives a party for a
crowd (4)
DOWN
2. The grange provides the fellow with alternative accommodation (5,5) 3. Moves the boat and falls
out (4) 4. This will mark the lines for
a writer (6) 5. Difficult times crop up in
the Civil Service (6) 6. Instruction to the girl to keep turning the hoisting device (8) 7. The examination is in French after the beginning of term (4) 11. Those without contracts at liberty to have weapons (10) 13. Favours putting nothing in
untidy streets (8) 16 & 18Ac. What the passenger assumes in security zone (6,4) 17. The man did imitations
and made a pile (6) 18. Detective having no time
to spare (4) 20. Biblical city mentioned in
writing a thesis (4)