CRYPTIC CROSSWORD

Across

1. A girl gets first recognition for service (4)

3. Tough match for crims’ eyes only? (5,3)

9. General from a city in Mississippi (7)

10. He gets a tame animal with a bit of hesitation and some direction with 9 (5)

11. I research act to make the best portrayal (12)

13. The Scottish mathematician found half a nail on the wharf (6) 15. Remained lodged (6) 17. Dying to walk off work fast (6,6)

20. Crime has the artist returning to the boy... (5)

21. ...to see the French do art around in their costume (7) 22. Is Satan sly about the examiners? (8) 23. Reportedly needs stitching it would appear (4)

Down

1. Jan acted surprisingly close by (8)

2. Found a hypochondriac cemetery back in the Eastern City (5)

4. Unfortunately the north leg has no alternative but to go the full distance (6)

5. There’s some old wives’ tales about its eruptions (12)

6. Possibly stays, if it will make you happy (7)

7. The bird has a go we hear (4) 8. Is this their real office? (6,6) 12. Named Dud in the appendix (8)

14. An old soft red area or was it blue? (7)

16. Was this worn by the band? (6)

18. Irish group returns with an alien angry (5)

19. Mountain flower from Los Angeles & Virginia (4)