WEEKEND CROSSWORD SINCE 1846

ACROSS

1 Most extreme example of universal progenitor (5,2,4,3) 9 Marry to support a cause (7) 10 Ground level that’s high (7) 11 Spot Charon arranging to moor boat (4,6) 12 William presents his account (4) 14 Quickly break into Post Office (6) 15 The last one to make the third score (8) 17 In Antibes, call operator and get shellfish (8) 19 Many hours arranged for refrain (6) 22 Fine sediment found by the Italian in street (4) 23 Writer seeking to remain isolated during this war? (10) 25 Mythological character stirred her soup! (7) 26 Begin gradually with popular stage first (5,2) 27 Deteriorating travelling to Crufts (5,2,3,4)

DOWN

1 Profound sadness, it’ s the weather (4,10) 2 Disapprove of gold disc first being put back into the river (7) 3 Second person is in no position to disagree (3,3,4) 4 Violently cruel coming from Recife (6) 5 Syphon is replaced during period of semi-consciousness (8) 6 Square food? (4) 7 General rise and fall of the sea in the same direction as the wind (3,4) 8 Puppeteers’ way to be in control (4,3,7) 13 If things go on as they are at present we will not go any faster (2,4,4) 16 Any having disturbed rest in Taunton area? (8) 18 Copy Sal performing song (7) 20 Overlie fancy embossed work (7) 21 Allow demon to get inside shellfish (6) 24 Cleric advanced entering study (4)