Cryptic crossword
ACROSS
1. Not in top form? (6-5) 9. Also the last of 20 (3) 10. Capital charges are inappropriate here (9) 11. Took measured steps, perhaps (5) 13. Sleep it off when letter comes (7) 14. Very time (6) small amount of 16. Worse than Cinderella’s sisters? (6) 18. Steeped as far down as possible (7) 19. Sounds a tiny thing, but the power’s there! (5) 20. Inferior worker is sly (9) 21. Nothing indicated as the end-product also (3) 22. There are no factors in production of the best anaesthetic, apparently (5,6)
DOWN
2. The last of 12 (3) 3. Took steps to ease friction .... (5) 4. .... and we’d begun to appear .... (6) 5. .... having fun, like the early-rising bird (7) 6. Begin with fish - it’s breath-taking (9) 7. Successful spiritualist avoids extremes (5,6) 8. Piercing a rotten pine (11) 12. Study offer made by competitor (9) 15. It is to be proved that article needs more changes (7) 17. This melody takes considerable effort (6) 19. She is absolutely crazy before noon! (5) 21. Where part of the foot points? (3)
YESTERDAY’S SOLUTIONS
Across: 1 Pope; 3 Half-time; 9 Sunbeam; 10 Erase; 11 In hot pursuit; 13 Ebbing; 15 Presto; 17 In the long run; 20 China; 21 Dilemma; 22 Reserved; 23 Barn. Down: 1 Pastimes; 2 Pinch; 4 Armour; 5 Feel strongly; 6 Italics; 7 Even; 8 Left in the air; 12 Fountain; 14 Bandits; 16 Pledge; 18 Rumba; 19 Scar.