CRYPTIC CROSSWORD

ACROSS

1. Got one home marked with knife-cuts (6)

8. It is my turn to give out the cards, and it’s perfect (5)

9. It is all right to proceed if one’s ambitious (2-5)

11. A twelvemonth it takes a fish to be a young runner (8)

12. For example, all confusion is within the law (5)

15. The obliquity with which one is included by graduates

(4)

16. It is foolish to drop the Italian and be so secretive (3)

17. There is nothing in decoration of the modern hautboy

(4)

19. If it’s finished on time it is publicly shown (5)

21. Cleaning lady helps, one is told, with the mimed riddles (8)

24. Tidy gin consumed in elevation of mind (7)

25. Copy operatic heroine at start of concert (5)

26. Didn’t have to find leading journo in want (6)

DOWN

2. It’s a task for her, getting company sorted out (5)

3. Try acting (8)

4. Cart may come from dairy when one left (4)

5. It is very hot if given over to blend of rye (5)

6. It is half a word for a house (4)

7. Stone that’s downtrodden will show sign of weariness

(4)

10. Worked in the darkroom, and expanded (9)

12. The model world didn’t begin with this ear part (4)

13. Satisfy one it’s true a hundred connive in it (8)

14. Get the better of musical rhythm (4)

18. Have to keep an eye on a hunter (5)

20. Do another knot for one in tree maybe (5)

21. Army position in river at top of Pennines (4)

22. Small ones are lethal, not the limbs of a child (4)

23. It is an ominous thing to put one’s name to (4)

SATURDAY’S SOLUTION

Across: 1. Reclamation 6. Tog 8. Count 10. Attendant

11. Reel 12. Bacon 13. Diligent 16. Andiron 17. Tofu 18. Agio

19. Belched 21. Agonised 23. Roles 26. Girl 27. Death-trap

28. Obese 29. Nod 30. Enslavement

Down: 1. Rock bottom 2. Church of England 3. Antenna

4. Tutti 5. Nonagon 6. Training-college 7. Gate 9. Neo

13. Diddles 14. Lurched 15. Broadsheet 19. Banshee

20. Dariole 22. Email 24. Orb 25. Odin