CRYPTIC CROSSWORD

ACROSS 1 Sorceress standing by small birch (6) 4 Tea without milk or sugar for minister (8) 9 Certainly not name

of listener (2,4) 10 Blunt criticism from stalwart

that goes to club (8) 11 Heather cuddled by Bill

without hesitation (9) 13 Argument made by

group against (3-2) 14 Wallpaper may be put

in one’s place? (3,4,2,4) 17 Blubber’s found by obscene killing — complain very loudly (3,4,6) 21 Complete shock when

female is fired (5) 23 Quarrel after religious edict brings one to this Spanish spectacle (9) 24 Press dogged by one

caller, not half sarcastic (8) 25 Liquid measure, litre,

swallowed by girl, working (6) 26 Date one person regularly

in travel firm (2,6) 27 Passionate tale

gripping millions (6) DOWN 1 Strong wines drunk, unknown number (6) 2 A pack of hounds may be completely confused, initially, over tracks (2,4,3) 3 Check on a dazzling display in ceremonial carriage (7) 5 Plant book under

author’s name (5,6) 6 Artist’s picture —

seeing that, what of it? (7) 7 A couple of books on Old Testament religious leader (5) 8 Element of unusual ringtone (8) 12 Fall from vessel and get carried away? (2,9) 15 Rough Irish professional soldier (9) 16 Son worrying about rook showing sign of injury (8) 18 Framework of room

locked up by the Parisian (7) 19 Uncooperative

suspect fainted (7) 20 Having an unpleasant smell, writing fluid in pen (6) 22 Unattractively large total before deductions (5)