Cryptic crossword

ACROSS

7. As a wild guess, may have been executed during the night (4,2,3,4)

8. A dare, a crime – and perhaps a feeling of companionship (11)

12. Bits of turf dislodged in about four spots (6) 14. Slipshod way polyp’s dealt with (6)

16. A warm drink for a man of the church (6)

18. Went to sea having declared the French get taken in (6) 19. Being dejected, centre’s upset about Autumn (11) 23. Arbitrarily taking over the order ere gin can be mixed (13)

DOWN

1. Little bird without a tail, but such elegance! (4) 2. Particle of matter to be found in the forenoon (4) 3. Is sleeping soundly (6)

4. Rebukes one for the carbon one conceals (6) 5. German river that’s alternative to them (4)

6. One of 20 may be found in the boot (4)

9. One giving counsel to six perhaps reads about them (7) 10. On this, one may be doing what comes naturally (7) 11. Narrowly observed the contents of phoney edition (4) 12. Fingerprints taken from fish? (4)

13. A couple needed to go around the West (3) 15. Grassland the French bring to a conclusion (3) 17. Shiny leather and what protects its copyright (6) 18. Equally divides one’s investment perhaps (6) 19. Water-fowl gets company to turn up (4)

20. Poet’s immemorial plants are large (4)

21. It may be seen as attractive to break the rule (4)

22. It’s the ladies who may be in retreat (4)