CRYP TIC CROSSWORD

ACROSS

3 Number touring notice pub, shabby in appearance ( 10) 8 Nurse, not hot in shady garden alcove ( 6) 9 Before end of truce, tries again to go over ( 8) 10 Charm one’s way in ( 8) 11 Football League initially probing Premier League club complaint? ( 3,3) 12 Exactly what’s required, fair article by commission (4,3,3) 14 South American, extremely sensitive, explains barking dog ( 6,7) 20 Awful baloney about one beheaded knight and queen (4,6) 22 Expert came across, over for the time being ( 3,3) 23 Face endless people giving a torrent of abuse ( 8) 24 Prepared drainage for shrub ( 8) 25 Prelude to show at university (4- 2) 26 Poor speed by back ( 6- 4)

DOWN

1 He and I, for example, in favour of sisters keeping nothing ( 8) 2 Likewise, Conservative admires Greek philosopher ( 8) 3 Freshwater fish crossing river channel ( 6) 4 King with deformed ear, seldom seen (4) 5 Husband brought in a meek person to meet artist in palace ( 8) 6 Smart, supporter at home – and away, ultimately ( 6) 7 Outcome in Ypres, ultimately ( 6) 13 Boy appearing after James ( 5) 15 Inspected fabric cut up ( 8) 16 I will remedy abuse ( 3- 5) 17 Idler having answer in amateur contest ( 8) 18 Sophisticated former pope, last to pontificate ( 6) 19 Diligent American leaving for workshop ( 6) 21 Bird of prey following black dog ( 6) 23 Information – a little sent over (4)