Two Speed Crossword
This two-speed crossword has two sets of clues, but just one grid. If you can’t solve the Cryptic clue, try the Quick.
Cryptic Across
3. The underlying reason is to share out the beer (9) 8. A very tiny part of the anatomy (4) 9. Teacher’s answer to all brain-locks? (6,3)
10. Song for a worker on edge (6)
11. No easy time in court (5) 14. To speechify means nothing to a tearabout (5) 15. The colour of a stretch of water (4) 16. Dance when graduate takes to drink (5) 18. Observe return of Eastern heavyweight (4) 20. Fancy nice women including a manhater! (5) 21. Former stage turn was quite precise (5) 24. Have relevance to wild animal appearing (4,2) 25. Made progress in the film industry? (9) 26. Perhaps rues being a consumer (4) 27. He expresses his objections, but is in favour of examiner (9)
Down
1. Quantity is under par, but still supreme (9) 2. How express letters are delivered? (4-5) 4. The first man to cause a lady to lose her head (4) 5. Bury, but pause when before the mission (5) 6. There’s nothing unusual about Marlon (6) 7. Doesn’t get up and doesn’t tell the truth (4)
9. Part of some terrible measure (5) 11. Entice from vast empty spaces (5) 12. Washerwoman makes the French take their clothes off (9)
13. Hired soldier is gleeful about broken cane (9) 17. Understudy got his chances? (5) 19. Formerly saucy, but now highly skilled (6) 22. Does it put the voter out of humour? (5) 23. Look at one’s equal (4) 24. Venerable historian puts egghead on mattress (4)
Quick Across
3. Exposition (9) 8. Particle (4) 9. Instrument opening many locks (6,3) 10. National song (6) 11. Court hearing (5) 14. Speak publicly (5) 15. Expanse of water (4) 16. Latin dance (5) 18. Brief letter (4) 20. Pessimist (5) 21. Accurate (5) 24. Relate to (4,2) 25. Evolved (9) 26. Employer (4) 27. Dissenter (9)
Down
1. Most important (9) 2. As fast as possible (4-5) 4. Biblical man (4) 5. Bury (5) 6. Ordinary (6)
7. Fibs (4) 9. Measuring device (5) 11. Allure (5) 12. Washerwoman (9) 13. Hired soldier (9) 17. Performed (5) 19. Specialist (6) 22. Angry (5) 23. Nobleman (4) 24. Saintly monk (4)