CRYPTIC CROSSWORD

ACROSS

1 Is he nothing but a blemish? (5)

6 Figure a measure to be a sure thing (5)

9 Sort out a sick pup to help (7)

10 After finishing first, a ceremony is commonplace (5) 11 A clever word, really sharp! (5)

12 Sit and fish (5) 13 Athletic bird? (7)

15 A local house (3)

17 Is one wrong about there being ten such beasts? (4) 18 Decline to let us in free, possibly (6)

19 As a result of our going round the club? (5)

20 Can handling roses be such a

problem? (6)

22 An informal drink (4)

24 Do a bit of close work (3) 25 A name for balsam prepared out of love (7)

26 Figure to snoop around for what’s secret (5) 27 Manuscript that can make a fool out of one (5) 28 Being a bird, it’s after seed (5)

29 To give a low fellow promises of money, seems strange (7) 30 Canny controllers of costs? (5)

31 His friends may deprive him of his ultimate right (5)

DOWN

2 It’s never been a burden to the poor (6) 3 Pasternak’s position, afloat (6)

4 Plant raised in Europe (3)

5 Being superior, a higher price for each? (5)

6 A biscuit for Xmas? (7)

7 I get a bit tetchy when it irritates (4)

8 A fruity description (6) 12 After losing some hope, he gives a wild cry (5) 13 Armies of entertainers? (5) 14 Repeat broadcast? (5) 15 An opening in optics (5) 16 Twigs handled in the garden (5)

18 Where to play the game? (5) 19 Demanding individual, possibly sour (7)

21 Like Leander’s efforts swimming the Hellespont? (6) 22 I waltz around with a bag (6) 23 Seemingly faultless learner (6)

25 The usefulness of a veil? (5) 26 Just one ancient associate of the “30 Across” (4) 28 Young of the coypu, perhaps (3)