Cryptic crossword

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ACROSS

3. It’s too early to repeat rum cocktail (9)

8. A devil of a prison (4) 9. Even now there’s space for the butler’s pantry (5,4)

10. Red currency – or blue,

maybe (6)

11. Colour of coat (5)

14. Almost locating occupation for industrial protest (3-2)

15. Animal in the chase

showing courage (4)

16. Clothes the leader of the

band in tattered rags (5) 18. Unruffled end to the

day (4)

20. Free from guilt, that’s

plain (5)

21. So we stray near the end of the field to find water (5)

24. The viewpoints of early

invaders (6)

25. Diana’s cloak to take to

pieces (9)

26. A physical examination is

almost deficient (4)

27. Make a key change (9)

DOWN

1. Takes off topless bikinis! (9)

2. Discharged an account and left (9)

4. This applies to speeding charge (4)

5. Part of the normal tariff for Mediterranean resort (5)

6. Putting it up near the arena is arduous (6) 7. Fleece a man on the board (4)

9. It may be used for lifting a catapult (5)

11. Unadulterated eastern

food made into pulp (5) 12. Happen to accept a

position (4,5)

13. Act as agent and put on

the show again (9)

17. One’s somehow about to start cooking confectionery (5)

19. Northern manor rebuilt for a follower of William (6)

22. It’s dawn when the lad is out of bed, we hear (3-2) 23. Stout support for one of

the nobility is heard (4) 24. They’re obtainable from continental estaminets (4)