CRYPTIC CROSSWORD

ACROSS

1 Without warning when cap reaches the floor (2,3,4,2,1,3) 9 Support others during second half of battle (7) 10 Left one conscientious objector in covered walk (7) 11 Discharge ambassador in odd environment (5) 12 Objecting? (9) 13 Paint all over the place disheartened Lily in an unsuitable way (7) 14 Man on board has drink (7) 16 One unsuccessful in getting a place (4-3) 19 Rude gap removed from upward slope (7) 21 Entice Reg strangely being forceful (9) 23 Fellow losing time in redeveloped bistro (5) 24 Investigator found nothing in embarrassing position (7) 25 Crown oriental found in gold part (7) 26 Piece of science? (8,7)

DOWN

1 “Much Ado About Nothing” in China (1,5,2,1,6) 2 Esther, a remarkable lady (7) 3 Judge from East Timor (9) 4 Coming in but not for the first time (2-5) 5 Father in flat decorated the walls (7) 6 Plant warm clothes, we hear (5) 7 Greeting icily? (7) 8 She lets gunshots explode as a result of lack of consideration (15) 15 Noisy wrangling over garb Ray exchanged before being generally disheartened (4-5) 17 Footballer found on the farm (7) 18 This gas is unaffected (7) 19 Release one’s grip on a French embrace (7) 20 A religious man I followed from cause to effect (1,6) 22 Info on eleven spirits (5)