CRYPTIC CROSSWORD

ACROSS

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In France, a bit of old cloth has a pleasant smell (9) What’s in the main cut, with tail removed? (3)

Where strangers are refreshed at the wicket two ways (4) Thinking much of maid upset by band (8)

To brook much that’s returned, tear around East (8)

A bit of building land to mark on the map (4) Throughout the time of the French Wagner cycle (6) Naked figures scattering round top of dunes, a bit abrupt (6) Rotten place to live, where rubbish disposal is effected (4) A teacher of ethics, Mother is golden-hearted with catalogue (8) The reporting of a hundred, too old! (8)

Is coping its highest achievement? (4)

Half what is aimed at may be found on the road (3)

It’s all in a day’s work (or sport!) to them (9)

DOWN

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Had an adventure with danger, maybe, but could lift Red out (7) Abolish the yearbook for showing a loss (5)

Condition to which one is unsuited? (6)

Very bad way to cook with spices, with top removed (4) Subjected to questioning, came under a good deal of heat (7) Something worth seeing, and the ability to do so (5)

A handle with a bend in it for an eccentric (5)

Painting without canvas goes straight to the wall (5)

He shifts one’s furniture with class right at the end (7)

Get from the sea, lest it differs: they’re painful to touch (7) Something to do up, having got up with broken leg (6)

Old money for French nobleman at the end (5)

Half of Persia now, consumed with anger (5)

The Greek you and I turned up got more and more (4)

YESTERDAY’S SOLUTION

Across: 1. Slough 4. Salvia 9. Recover 10. Antic 11. Pain 12. Ache

13. Hod 15. Spry 16. True 19. Tot 21. Dale 22. Stop 24. Overt

25. Soprano 26. Swears 27. Statue

1. Strip cartoons 2. Orchids 3. Gave 5. Amateurs 6. Vetch

7. Accident-prone 8. Crack 14. Predator 17. Extract 18. Blast

20. There 23. Spot

Down: