CRYPTIC CROSSWORD

ACROSS 1. A street in the Big Apple that isn’t at all nice (5) 4. Rats, etc, disperse in the confusion (7) 8. A queen taking a tumble in Africa (8,5) 10. It’s a bit of the fireguard that’s put back (5) 11. The vases one soundly works for (4) 12. It is an extra dimension, perhaps (4) 16. The first letter that Sophocles was known to have written (5) 17. To Sultan, dying may be a matter to be rendered in a superlative way (13) 19. Danes, upset by Hitler’s bodyguard, caused state of unhappiness (7) 20. It’s a sort of key for one who’s underage (5) DOWN 1. They’re not the only ones involved in fleet operations (5,8) 2. A pouch can be a bag with no bottom to it (3) 3. A petty officer on a warship who may have been a farmer (6) 4. It is mean for an insect to wound one at the end of the day (6) 5. Yield and bear the expense of it (6) 6. It is vital Kate should be loquacious (9) 7. One on the bench showing restraint to musician (7,6) 9. Perhaps it’s not decent to be so satisfied (9) 13. Sort of mimosa to daub on building (6) 14. They’re prickly things, the backs of books (6) 15. Make one rumba badly and provide meal for radiographer (6) 18. Firearm that’s jumped in a false start (3) YESTERDAY’S SOLUTION: Across 1. Brush 4. Tangent 8. Trillions 9. Cur 10. Odorous 12. True 14. Bespoke 17. Tuck 18. Rattler 20. Use 21. Spaghetti 23. Benison 24. Sidle Down 1. Bite one’s thumb 2. Unison 3. Hold over 4. Too 5. Nose 6. Escort 7. Three-four time 11. Super 13. Sketches 15. Screen 16. Plated 19. Isis 22. Awn