CRYPTIC CROSSWORD

ACROSS

1 Lots written about large

kingdoms (6)

4 Let in old boy, very English

in old hat (8)

9 Possibly upright girl (6)

10 Kind and shy, like some

actors are (8)

11 Reptile that might not be what it appears to be (9)

13 Put off, in crude terms (5) 14 Saw only deep space

flicks (7,4,2)

17 Restrictive economic policy?

Believe press (6,7)

21 Escape notice entering the day

before (5)

23 Where one may be driven

mad? (2,3,4)

24 Legendary knight’s wife leaving

joint in vehicle (8)

25 Character in form (4-2) 26 Champion’s card sure to be

corrected (8)

27 Read about brewer’s

last stout? (6)

DOWN

1 Refuse to take about 100 in

plane (6)

2 A clan have dreadful downfall in

the Cairngorms, perhaps (9) 3 African statesman and staff –

short stay (7)

5 After Suspicion, without

question (6,5)

6 Regularly co-opt new dean close to busy time when the public may visit college? (4,3)

7 Order English knight before a

court (5)

8 Gent heading off with European

band’s recording (8) 12 Former job with university

behind protest? (11)

15 Cry, being cut gathering

fruit (4,1,4)

16 Catholic charged, offering no resistance about being imprisoned (8)

18 Lethargy at home

I rate badly (7)

19 End of stage stage worker

polished (7)

20 Pilot admitting pressure after

operation for limp (6) 22 Farewell to the French about to

go west (5)