CRYPTIC CLUES

ACROSS

12 Steal something from the pharmacy and scarper? (4,1,6) 13 Caught in embrace of a sweetheart in nook (6) 14 Propose, again, to get rid of (6) 16 Said it’s gold, with a number at the base (4) 17 Being sufficient for taking there by car (7,2) 18 Tangle with a famous composer (5) 19 Sharp on time, dost thou prove to be? (4) 20 Artificial jewellery is not making

steady progress (9) 22 See catching animal with lariat (5) 23 Checked for fit — or to see if you

would wear (5,2,2) 27 What the diminutive Italian is playing? (7) 30 First circle back round the restaurant (6) 31 Water I managed to swallow (4) 32 Also turning to point at (5) 35 For a twosome, just one of

those things (4) 36 The former, I note, was compiled

by me (3-4) 38 To be in recession is really bad (4) 39 In story, fellow is trapped in

damaged core (7) 42 What identified dog as ‘Nick’? (6) 45 Lines with really bad hiss (5) 46 He helps a superior (7) 47 Watches for pronunciation of vowels (4) 48 Sounds like a top-notch player.

Give up (4) 50 Les let fly blow in brawl (7) 52 Jab the thing with a finger (5) 54 Many trees? Wrong. There are no

trees there (6) 56 Depression’s back. Stop pay (7) 57 Catch. I drop it and blame (4) 59 Responded as wild deer do, shut inside (7) 61 When and what fruit was bought at the supermarket (4) 64 When sun is at its height, say (5) 66 ‘So, long, Heartless’ is what

crooner’s crooning (4) 67 So you know — it means nauseate (6) 69 To refuse to acknowledge it’s slipped

through is stupidity (7) 72 Have great durability you speak about

ad nauseam (2,2,3,2) 73 Almost having a fit (5) 74 Miserable, urge to take action about (9) 79 Taking also right back to source (4) 81 Going right back, one can track down (5) 82 Help to turn handle as well (4,1,4) 83 Who tempts thieves to steal? (4) 85 One by one, during the act (2,4) 86 Lumpy girl in nun disguise (6) 87 Don’t dive very well but

create excitement (4,1,6)

DOWN

1 Mean to bag one or two (4) 2 Plot to strike that creates chaos (6) 3 Wind up Paris negotiations by end of April (6) 4 Coiling branch shrouds quaint inn (7) 5 Slogan that would be appropriate for gym (5) 6 Item donated to gem collection? (10) 7 The committee sounds fed up (5) 8 Does it put a great burden on drains? (5,4) 9 Questioned in way that got suspect very heated? (7) 10 Neglect to return and I’m flipping in for it! (4) 11 Drove off and one had gone too far (8) 15 Shocked, has been taken in by phoney tag (6) 21 Sweltering, one’s getting into lift (5) 24 Again tell one to tear out the top and bottom (7) 25 Fix one on the wing (6) 26 Roll up right before four. Are outside (6) 28 After cold meal out, can go without food for ages (5) 29 The lion — or in France the duck (3) 33 Dreadful fellow given a piece of one’s mind (7) 34 Yelled ‘Are held by piece of wood’ (6) 37 Succeed in getting quarters beside the girl (5) 40 Novice in race contrived to jump successfully (5) 41 Say trade union is blocking the law (7) 43 Open up to let clergyman in (5) 44 In the arena, is revolting (6) 46 A calculating and dangerous creature? (5) 49 Describe how it has hills though it used not to? (7) 51 Because time is required to search (6) 53 Hurt a little by ‘ate like a horse’ (6) 55 Agrees with both the left and the right (5) 58 What people were once prepared to swallow is amazing (4,6) 60 Note said it’s a female (3) 62 Championship? Could be, miss (5) 63 Rascal whose father, when loaded, was dangerous? (3,2,1,3) 65 For having flutter in, our currency is great (8) 68 Turns from cold to hot. Runs jerkily (6) 70 For the moment, isn’t cracking whip held (7) 71 Discusses moving both bed and seat beside it (7) 75 Vegetarian food that is possibly hard to ingest (6) 76 One leg’s in cast (6) 77 Start pretending, ridiculously, to be a man (5) 78 While standing the youth a light lunch (5) 80 For trip out, travelling by river (4) 84 Getting little son into bed at a price (4)