CRYPTIC CROSSWORD

ACROSS

1 Grasp a little bit, we’re told, and remain silent (4,4,5)

10 A US soldier returned to the lavatory in an ice-house (5)

11 May start to lean up to one to get convert (9)

12 Some special forces, at one time in charge, could be hangers-on (9)

13 A fragrant resin got from the Spanish record producer (5)

14 Adds salt, pepper, etc for months (7) 16 Cardinal, say, lost energy, but could still get round the person in charge (7)

18 A new firm could be exceptional (7)

20 Is not in favour of getting an advance a second time (7)

21 Tend to run back with second engineer, initially (5)

23 Hardy girl gets to cheer a form of mosaic (rare sp) (9)

25 Goes from one side to another showing various designs (9)

26 May criticise one club for taking flight (5) 27 Make fewer demands, so to speak, as might be expected (8,2,3)

DOWN

2 Hard worker heading off to join a refuelling vessel (5)

3 Goes below when the rain falls (5,4) 4 Small number at a gallery’s writing music, etc (7)

5 One can see about second sittings (7) 6 Two hands make a legal claim. It has to follow (5)

7 Changeable type able to blend in with the surroundings (9)

8 Girl’s a bit of 18 across, but remains quite indifferent (13)

9 Come on the scene, at some stage, to join a successful operation (3,2,2,3,3)

15 Later on, tend to need a period of convalescence (9)

17 After a record return, turn cape out. Can then lean against something (5,2,2)

19 In the past, model soldiers were a bit 18 across (7)

20 Helps a ship at first, getting to the last dockyards (7)

22 Was pleased to get rid of a record return, so relaxed (5)

24 Is in a trap, nearly out of breath (5)