THE CROSSWORDS PUZZLE 16224

CRYPTIC CLUES ACROSS

1 Like a seabird behind the ship (6) 4 Recommend someone to take legal action (8) 9 Eric goes wild about the French girl (6) 10 Steps outside an upper window (8) 12 They may part with a smile (4) 13 We’re clean out of them (5) 14 Smart boy (4) 17 Released a big eruption - it’s unpleasant (12) 20 Talk of the natives (6,6) 23 We’re breaking up the vessel (4) 24 So men are employed making signs (5) 25 Fight, probably rigged (4) 28 Case in which everyone is involved in the trial (3,5) 29 No rise for those more advanced in service (6) 30 I can read somehow in bright light (8) 31 A round heavy-bodied port (6)

DOWN

1 Royalty’s own touch of honour (8) 2 He’s not on speaking terms with his brothers (8) 3 Unusual way to serve meat (4) 5 An order to execute (5,7) 6 Show fond regard for the opposite sex (4) 7 An odd goal in Africa (6) 8 Offer the wrong type of inducement (6) 11 Confront the orchestra - or the critics (4,3,5) 15 Silver down at melting-point? (5) 16 What a debater takes to demolish an opponent (5) 18 Mummy’s nationality (8) 19 Exchange of repartee that will bear fruit (4,4) 21 Sort of tureen that is neither one thing nor another (6) 22 Free beer held up, but put down again (6) 26 The goddess of hate? (4) 27 Exploit that should be witnessed (4)

QUICK CLUES ACROSS

1 Prestige (6) 4 Mythical strong man (8) 9 Intimation (6) 10 Afflicted (8) 12 Tense (4) 13 Disparage (5) 14 Tiny biting fly (4) 17 Stingy (12) 20 Basic runway (7,5) 23 Damage from use (4) 24 Haughty (5) 25 Blond (4) 28 An aromatic herb (8) 29 Pious (6) 30 Trusted followers (8) 31 Exultant (6)

DOWN

1 Disdain (8) 2 Class of things (8) 3 Every one (4) 5 Demanding too much (12) 6 Gaming counter (4) 7 Fondness (6) 8 Australian legislature (6) 11 Unsurpassed (6,2,4) 15 Concluding (5) 16 Over-elaborate (5) 18 An escape from prison (8) 19 Full of life (8) 21 To change (6) 22 Infertile (6) 26 Incautious (4) 27 Transaction (4)