THE CRYPTIC:

ACROSS

1. Top monarch’s frolics (6) 4. Makes a vow: I’m back in writing, son (8)

10. Dating handy, schedule 24/7 (5,3,3)

11. Against the swindle (3) 12. Arraign the little devil, every one (7)

14. Later on is absurd – ready for action (2,5)

15. Choose Barassi – unlikely master of beta rays (8,6) 17. Round chart included in individuals in holy books – actually books about people (14)

21. Indicate fieldsman, circles territory (5,2)

22. Not available thanks – small chuckle for Rostov’s daughter (7)

23. Bad air for the revolutionaries

(1,1,1)

24. Discordant, horrid music for

the famous author (4,7)

26. Basic ingredients – silver and

gold for starters (8)

27. One southern graduate in alternative to a line on a weather map (6)

DOWN

1. Convict penalised and imprisoned (8)

2. Dog – is he a boxer? (3) 3. Withdraw regarding the pamphlet (7)

5. My radiator soon fell apart – try electronic stargazing! (5.9) 6. Posh suburb but a spellbound chief councillor, according to Spooner (7)

7. Covert sign for office workers (11)

8. A tense encounter in the upper house (6)

9. A student of humanity – and defender around the shattered north (14)

13. Pâté recipe, it needs fixing – do it in a hurry! (11)

16. This rare accident exists to a certain extent (2,6)

18. John’s the army (7)

19. Bombs cats and dogs around

a thoroughfare (7)

20. Bet ceremony is for a fairy (6) 25. Turn up, little brother, for the

ball (3)