CRYPTIC CROSSWORD

ACROSS

1. Total air CID controlled was overbearing (11)

8. Let no rat be put out if willing to put up with it (8) 9. How to dirty the earth (4)

10. Line angler uses soundly musician will put above the stave (5)

13. A notorious fiddler watched his capital going up in smoke (4)

16. Is ready with a quick answer when in the lending library (4)

17. Nothing could replace the head of 13 (4)

18. Be inclined to watch over one’s flock (4)

20. Is new to it, and impertinent (5)

24. It may be quick, but it’s securely held (4) 25. Getting over obstacle by finding space in the wood (8) 26. Coroner sent out for something of prime importance (11)

DOWN

2. Simply tick over in unpaid leisure-time (4)

3. Trees are treated thus, in brief (5)

4. Get in a sort of suffusion (5)

5. Ben is perhaps confused with another playwright (5) 6. It’s not crooked, but not up to standard right away (8,3)

7. Vital fluid, more yellow than usual, may give one the pip (5,6)

11. Lamentation for Reg if he’s put out (5)

12. High feature would need second letter ahead to get across (5)

14. It is always lasting, like the flower that doesn’t fade (4) 15. To put one’s name to it may be ominous (4) 19. Could so put one off mine as to make up one’s mind (5)

21. It is right to follow regulation with a straightedge (5)

22. It is inclined to be a way of looking at something (5)

23. One in his pride, a person much sought after (4)