CRYPTIC CROSSWORD

Across

1 Get ahead of those moving back from 7

down, at the sound of a drum (4,1,7)

8 is it wrong, every day, initially, to be exposed

to public scrutiny (5)

9 Is holding on, to keep it in good order (9)

11 Old sailors, at the end, were highly

decorated (6)

12 Set fire to first boat in the shortest possible

time (8)

14 Detailed some past events at one state. It

was authentic (10)

15 A German runner had to do it all over again,

on the way back (4)

18 May go off at full speed in Lent (4)

19 Had to cut back in order to make ends meet

(10)

21 Honour the end of the New Testament,

doing what one was told to do (8)

23 From the start , is training to be a painter (6)

25 Will try to get the last word, at the end (9)

26 Tour right round a place in south-west

England (5)

27 Upright 23 across left one in the Home

Counties to transfer power (12)

Down

1 Some scientists boast about tins holding

various plants (9)

2 Check the accounts for one working to get

an interview (8)

3 Head off to a farm shop, say, that's well

ventilated (4)

4 Considers people who go into a Highland

town on Sunday (10)

5 An invader is right to help out, with a little

hesitation (6)

6 Comply with a single offer, at the end (5)

7 Take the lead in moving into the firing line

(2,2,3,5)

10 Is given time to pay. It's on the cards (3,3,6)

13 Frustrate a girl's musical event (10)

16 Ted ordered suite, at the end, although he

was very poor (9)

17 Did Tom tear up one group of little cupids?

(8)

20 One involved in commerce issued a stream

of invective (6)

22 Make things safe, right away, to follow later

(5)

24 Return a poker stake placed on a fiery

mount (4)