TWO-SPEED CROSSWORD

CRYPTIC CLUES

ACROSS

1 Preserves harvest minus

shortfall (7) 8 Unravelling threads is most

difficult (7) 9 Crazy capers, right one

used by stripper! (7) 10 In good time with nobleman at the end of the day (5) 11 Refuse to enter here (6,3) 14 One takes steps to provide

entertainment (6) 15 Right Russian river in the

countryside (5) 16 Bit players’ perks (6) 20 Work out terms — note I

get a reshuffle (9) 23 Eccentric Conservative

has status (5) 24 Nothing to turn up before period of fasting — that’s rich! (7) 25 Normal location doesn’t

finish off newcomer (7) 26 Pound, fresh sorbet with

seafood (7)(7)

DOWN

1 Pounding tool and stone

carried by footballer (6) 2 Parish priest takes stick

about vermin (6) 3 Circuits attached to point

pass into disuse (5) 4 Woody plant, possibly

brush (5) 5 Learns a new cache of

weapons (7) 6 Some prefer rickshaws

made of iron (6) 7 Strong horse as yet unreliable, right? (6) 12 Wake in river, a river that

runs through York (5) 13 US state afraid a hostage is

inside (5) 15 Line went ahead – caused

resentment (7) 16 Avoid eastern scenery (6) 17 In turn each having drink

container (3,3) 18 Talent unfortunately

hidden (6) 19 A buffoon to scoff about

saint (6) 21 Hear of northern town

spirit, not nice (5) 22 Part of hand hidden by

cloth umbrella (5)

COFFEE TIME ACROSS

1 Preserves in vinegar (7) 8 Firmest (7) 9 Decorating tool (7) 10 Ahead of time (5) 11 Rubbish can (6,3) 14 Ballerina, eg (6) 15 Of the country (5) 16 Background actors (6) 20 Argue terms (9) 23 Eccentric person (5) 24 Lavish (7) 25 Social climber (7) 26 Crustacean (7)

DOWN

1 Pounding tool (6) 2 Church official (6) 3 Become void (5) 4 Low woody plant (5) 5 Ammunition store (7) 6 Of iron (6) 7 Distance racehorse (6) 12 Awaken (5) 13 US state, capital Boise (5) 15 Annoyed (7) 16 Break free (6) 17 Large beverage vessel

(3,3) 18 Dormant (6) 19 Buffoon (6) 21 Spooky spirit (5) 22 Digit (5)