CRYPTIC CROSSWORD

ACROSS 1. Takes it off the wages as the ship puts into port (5) 4. About five could be abroad, with a show of daring (7) 8. Pampering number one, has fun selling Ted out (4-9) 10. It’s not up to it, so put it down (5) 11. The Bishop of Exeter signs it for an officer of the Yeomen (4) 12. Chinese gooseberry is the fruit of a New Zealander (4) 16. Oxygen belt forming a layer in the atmosphere (5) 17. Failure to stick together in nest, concise as it may be (13) 19. First of three cigars may be affecting the stomach (7) 20. An artist whose first drawing might have taken ages (5)

DOWN 1. Cutting one off from inside right in the shuffle (13) 2. Only half paint a meteorological feature (3) 3. Thin porridge could make one sick when airborne (6) 4. Gently moistens it as we turn up in the garden (6) 5. It attracts everybody pure when topless (6) 6. Facilities in it seem a sort of change (9) 7. Fact of thrusting in serves bonus it puts out (13) 9. Away from the metropolis one might conspire to hold five (9) 13. Go round the bend – and here, between rounds (6) 14. It has signs one removed from 16, using acid (6) 15. Passed for soundness by animal surgeon, spread it out to dry (6) 18. Continually worry about a Shakespearean jade (3)

YESTERDAY’S SOLUTION: Across 1. Impel 4. Jackdaw 8. Delivered 9. Ban 10. Voluble 12. Mike 14. Oration 17. Ably 18. Antbear 20. Icy 21. Ostracise 23. Yardage 24. Earns

Down 1. Individuality 2. Palely 3. Lovebird 4. Jar 5. Coda 6. Dobbin 7. Winter Gardens 11. Extra 13. Mortgage 15. Player 16. Denier 19. Coma 22. Tie