CRYPTIC CROSSWORD

ACROSS

9 A mere error, the agent holds, in the contract (9)

10 Letting everybody see one’s lasting out (7,2)

12 Said the letters will give comfort (4)

13 Guess you’ll have dinner round about teatime (6)

14 Tie up so ineptly it’s pathetic (7)

15 Tying so it’s absolutely flat (4,5)

17 He wonders if the other new rise has come through (9)

18 Plants that look like little lumps of stone? (7)

19 Took place when one travelled by (4,2)

20 Knock off the jars turning (4)

23 In recess, they are taken round part of New York (3,6)

25 Foolishly forget this shouldn’t have an oral examination (4,5)

26 One of two keys to the heart (4)

27 Such a situation as you’re in when up a gum tree? (6)

29 In what way could a fish be expressing grief? (7)

32 A policeman on duty who knows the score? (9)

34 Absolutely miserable, wouldn’t you say? (9)

35 A wee journey taken that’s one of three (7) 36 Go round with a list at half term (6)

37 Not a stern warning! (4)

38 Had a view of, one found (6,3)

39 Posted it on, anyhow, within the prearranged dates (9)

DOWN

1 Most of its leaves are gone by winter (8)

2 Obvious to the fortune-teller? (7,5)

3 Thinks insects possibly live inside (8)

4 You can buy from the draper whenever you like (2,4)

5 Warn you a heart transplant takes time (8)

6 Divested oneself of and left (7,3)

7 A little bird and a rather big bird (7)

8 Because I wasn’t there, she’s given it (10)

11 As opposed to the net, it’s coarse (5)

16 Get into the bottom bunk and hide? (3,3) 19 It’s a question of motive (3)

21 The critical moment when one decided to become a convert? (7,5)

22 How, in the first half of the series, there’s a fall (6)

23 As if that weren’t enough, getting a great deal upset about (2,3,2,3)

24 In my judgement, it’s a mere rough calculation (10)

25 Yes, at long last is happy (3)

28 Sorry at having to rent it out to the firm (8) 29 An appeal for repetition of what was said (4,4)

30 Prepare to greet, having assembled at daybreak (3,5)

31 Followed and at one point had a chat with (7)

33 What did he say as he went off to bat? (5) 34 Having teed off, by the way, don’t like it (6) 8