CRYPTIC CROSSWORD

ACROSS

9 Informs you the dagger’s unsheathed? (6,3) 10 The fairest of the fair (3,6)

12 That’s nothing to an English river! (4)

13 Go off at about two (6)

14 A Cinderella toy for the little girl? (3,4)

15 Made still better, one felt again (9)

17 As games go, this one’s a gem! (9)

18 The person having a work-out, in the woolly garment? (7)

19 Deduce there’s a carpenter at work in the playground? (6)

20 A gem from a coronet, buddy! (4)

23 It sparkles and is very smart, indeed (9)

25 Caught the words “A drover got drunk,” when he entered (9)

26 A lonely one missing a friend (4)

27 With apprehension, stop (6)

29 For many, few: or, perhaps not many (7)

32 What the carved figurine’s dress was made of? (9)

34 The green’s rolled, chum, usually (9)

35 Transport that would come if one whistled for it? (7)

36 Feeling sorry for Herb with the flu, anyhow (6)

37 Cooler and it’s pouring rain (4)

38 A sample of how tea out in the New Forest will be? (9)

39 Among the various creeds I have found humbugs (9)

DOWN

1 An expert in heraldry, is peeved (2,2,4)

2 Is just what’s needed for a hungry pelican? (5,3,4)

3 As one shot back in to tie up (8)

4 Leave with the pearls? (6)

5 Carol’s lost two points in the game (8)

6 The rest of the crew (5,5)

7 Frivolous, irresponsible and a member of the jet set? (7)

8 Not a poor observer of the master’s command to stay close? (4-6)

11 She comes back at lunchtime to complain (5)

16 The very many that have not been informed (6)

19 Ready for collection (3)

21 An obvious twit, he’s not in uniform (5,7) 22 More wan and a little upset again (6)

23 Fed up to find the gold ring was an imitation? (7,3)

24 Those saris were ordered by a girl in uniform (3,7)

25 Striking? That’s not allowed! (3)

28 Signed by the sender, folded, and with the same enclosure (8)

29 A lightweight, you say, or proclaim (8)

30 The dignitary might get a bunch of roses (8)

31 The cooling device inside isn’t to play with, children (7)

33 Animal that made the row round about midnight (5)

34 The man in grey is eating more than his fair share (6) 8