SOLUTION TO PRIZE CROSSWORD No 15,574:

ACROSS: 1 Sidearm. 5 Ottawa. 9 Letters. 10 Alberta. 11 Ash. 12 Xerographic. 13 Ad-lib. 14 Attendant. 16 Deduction. 17 Inter. 19 Misconstrue. 22 Dam. 23 Swahili. 24 Gerbera. 26 Tennis. 27 Deposit. DOWN: 1 Sultana. 2 Dutch elm disease. 3 Axe. 4 Miser. 5 Orang-utan. 6 Tibia. 7 Warmheartedness. 8 Fat cat. 12 Xebec. 14 Amidships. 15 Noise. 16 Demise. 18 Rampant. 20 Onion. 21 Rigid. 25 Rap.