ALAN LEE’S CRYPTIC CROSSWORD NO. 414

Across

1 Batterer splits defences. (8) 5 Flourish with one giant leap. (6) 9 Medical problem from fruit sounds repetitious. (8) 10 To be sure, Pizarro’s enemies

ate last. (2,4) 12 The mineral first mentioned in

logical argument. (7) 13 Name the last bog covered with

elk in Europe. (7) 14 Metal in chili additives causes many deaths. (7) 15 Bird will change direction to hear. (4) 19 Excited by one attempt? Good! (4) 20 Could country be ending

exports, like Japan? (7) 24 Suffer biblical prophet to return

to African country. (7) 25 Church owner loses dog in

cement mixer. (7) 26 Fall of an accountant. (6) 27 Wives ending their whining is

catching on. (8) 28 Followed English nudes

at play. (6) 29 Agent’s aide was financial

backer. (8)

Down

1 Cut by rotating beater. (6) 2 Scar some small carnivore. (6) 3 Hole in this sea is from trees. (8) 4 Wrong turn mistaken for part of former U.S.S.R. (12) 6 Harmless at middle age in African country. (6) 7 Differs from a dean but just as forceful. (8) 8 Fearful of last word when checking mail. (8) 11 Began cooling stew in Zaire once. (7,5) 16 Video shows one group among another. (8) 17 Must come to work. (8) 18 Determined tot hugs Judy. (8) 21 Rook in sheep’s clothing. (6) 22 Employed while incapacitated. (6) 23 Spanish region has Landry’s Canadian flag above. (6)