JUMBO CROSSWORD

CRYPTIC CLUES

ACROSS: 9 With the contents removed completely (6,3)

10 Ordered, as agreed to beforehand (8) 12 Tip “No Gentleman” (4)

13 Vilify as “a nincompoop with a good figure” (6)

14 The player is good: isn’t a flop (7) 15 Kept talking, to fluster the fellow (7,2) 17 Can’t understand why you turn a blind eye to? (4,2,3)

18 Persuaded now to go back again (3,4) 20 Seek on behalf of, taking a long time (6)

21 What the diner ordered in a low voice? (4)

24 Support the flag (8)

26 A watch for the arm (8)

28 The right direction (4)

29 For an ownerless pet, it’s wrong (6) 31 Argues that a new bed requires a new “28” (7)

34 Should get them trained first, I reckoned (9)

36 Is it used extensively by ambulance men? (9)

38 Ours is sour (7)

39 It’s dry, but wet weather is coming in (6)

40 Being the one stuck in the pipe (4) 41 Bet Anne put out feelers (8) 42 Precedes as one takes the lead (4,5)

DOWN:

1 Leave, accompanied by X (8) 2 Say it’s a cinch, for all to hear (6)

3 Deem deliberate (8)

4 Do your utmost and find a line of descent (6)

5 Becomes infatuated with and gets deceived by (5,3)

6 Finishing preparing for cold weather (8,2)

7 In grassland antelope go slowly (7)

8 He left here with a girl - irresponsible (6) 11 Non-believer hates it, perhaps (7) 16 Affectionate, yearn to embrace the little girl (6)

19 Money, when backing, to put on (5) 20 Ere leaving, feared it would be a passing fancy (3)

22 Spy on a man (5)

23 Talk about a duffer when it comes to games! (6)

25 Handing over the job to? (10)

26 The sunfish? (3)

27 Daub on Esme in the pub (7)

30 Having gone off again, came back (8) 31 Made to lose track, the girl, embarrassed, was upset (8)

32 Bars intended for the bedroom window? (8)

33 Shut up and got on (7)

35 Aims to carry one across (6)

36 Chucks the fish aboard (6)

37 About to consume, he had put in the microwave (6)