CRYPTIC CROSSWORD

Across

1. Get the better of the bit that's one's greatest achievement (11)

8. A bit of give-and-take shows how far up the globe one is (8)

9. Depravity may hold one in its grip (4)

10. It is what one believes may be Nicene (5)

13. It took a time to say yes, right? (4)

16. Starts emulating person in charge – it's a great story (4)

17. Peaceful entry in a tropical monsoon (4) 18. Powder made its comeback in cosmetic lately (4)

20. Dodge Dave devised with energy (5) 24. Pleasant place to be, on the Riviera (4) 25. Scottish lawyer may recommend it (8) 26. A dispute with convert has sorry outcome right away (11)

Down

2. Stake put up with the post, betting ahead (4)

3. He teaches one to get in a rut when upset (5)

4. Part lost from game bird may be high (5)

5. Being on diplomatic mission, he will envy nothing within it (5)

6. Secret sect laden in error (11)

7. Play politics with boundaries, making merry in garden maybe (11)

11. The pick of the type, where typist is concerned (5)

12. Play the doctor, getting a degree (5) 14. French dash out of the wrong lane (4) 15. Window-ledge makes last of jumpers sick (4)

19. Confess one will come thus in the laundry (5)

21. Record what one sees to provide organiser a part (5)

22. He doesn't work, being one under the doctor (5)

23. A singer has his double in the orchestra (4)

Yesterday's solution

Across 1. Careless 4. Mesh 8. All 9. Fluff 10. Auk 11. Recruit 12. Onion 13. Resplendent 17. Minus 18. Subject 20. Orb 21. Evoke 22. Aim 23. Tree 24. Unbeaten Down 1. Chairs 2. Relic 3. Stunt 5. Elation 6. Hiking 7. Affordable 9. Four-poster 14. Ennoble 15. Import 16. Stamen 18. Spoon 19. Exalt