DOUBLE CROSSWORD

CRYPTIC CLUES Across

3. Priceless old weapon employed by no-one in particular (9)

8. Neat animals (4) 9. Bound to go wrong? (3,6)

10. Menace of the Mad Hatter (6)

11. Fast naval ships? (5)

14. A premonition Richard III had (5)

15. Timber trade (4)

16. Only about five unravel a puzzle (5)

18. Like to take one to a continent? (4)

20. Recognised claim to name or rank (5)

21. Hair in distressing condition (5)

24. East European refinement (6)

25. The less often they’re hit the better (4,5)

26. Deliver a piece of pottery (4)

27. She has her points (9)

Down

1. It simply outlines the position (6,3) 2. Neither here nor there (2,7) 4. Numberless craft may save life (4)

5. Be best man? (5) 6. Sailor accustomed to being reviled (6) 7. Players – or the pitch (4) 9. Has to provide solemn promises (5)

11. Reduces the size of enclosures (5)

12. First man to take up a craft (4,5)

13. The world’s greatest swimmer (4,5)

17. Those reformed show spirit (5)

19. Unnatural cunning (6)

22. Quick way to dry a step (5)

23. Past get-up a Roman wore (4)

24. Blueprint for a tailless aircraft (4)

QUICK CLUES Across

3. Variety (9) 8. Surfeit (4) 9. Subtraction (9) 10. Symbol (6) 11. Manner (5) 14. Scent (5) 15. Wicked (4) 16. Stiff (5) 18. Optical glass (4) 20. Sovereign (5) 21. Uncertainty (5) 24. Endured (6) 25. Broke contract (9) 26. Price (4) 27. Differently (9)

Down

1. Pleasant (9) 2. Astonish (9) 4. Detail (4) 5. Triumph (5) 6. Pay (6) 7. Implement (4) 9. Exclude (5) 11. Vision (5) 12. Development (9) 13. Showiness (9) 17. Great fear (5) 19. Comfort (6) 22. Underneath (5) 23. Trial (4) 24. Minus (4)