GUARDIAN CRYPTIC CROSSWORD NO. 27,566

ACROSS

1 Ugly thing, thorny

area with trees (7) 5 Only a proportion taken from income, a tax evaded is a dangerous thing (4,3) 9 Muddy beast, one very quietly entering house (5) 10 Very good trip is taken round outskirts of Llanelli (9) 11 Hearty: he contrived to embrace old sailor’s greeting (4,5) 12 Authority that

doesn’t speak? (3-2) 13 For starters, Andre Agassi rather gloriously hairless — I’m tearing my hair out! (5) 15 Strong bonds formed with this guru, sleep disturbed (9) 18 Funny straight

man split (9) 19 Cakes to drop

in fumbles (5) 21 Tree a waste, cut (5) 23 Swindle firm for

a nicker? (9) 25 Silly welcoming corrupt leader in backward state, moreover (2,3,4) 26 A little bit

separate (5) 27 Noble rank inspiring baron finally, last in line (7) 28 Independence ultimately ain’t so bad for the country (7)

DOWN

1 French bottom pinched in lift styled like a toilet? What mademoiselle might exclaim (3,2,2) 2 Furniture on display, half of both inside pack, say? (9) 3 Abroad — not

very far? (5) 4 Periods without a drink, a cause of internal discomfort (9) 5 Leading European

state (5) 6 Possible treatment, mixture of tisane and rum (9) 7 Harmony always

around US institute (5) 8 Scar absolutely obvious initially, right within focus of seer? (7) 14 Stock cut, foreign currency held up (9) 16 Dog keeping busy, originally sniffing female’s bottom (9) 17 Logical thinker abandoned sheikhdom — Noah! (4,5) 18 The Japanese keep doing it, for crying out loud! (7) 20 Colour ranges: traces possibly including pink, primarily (7) 22 Have fun on a

Spanish beach (5) 23 Fancy redhead in Neanderthal’s place? (5) 24 Salutation at a wedding breakfast, possibly? (5)