THE CROSSWORDS

PUZZLE 16271

CRYPTIC CLUES ACROSS

1 Prepares gifts and cards (5)

4 Is splitting the kingdom but facing the facts (7)

8 The whole or just part of a sale (3)

9 I am in time to obtain a letter of improvisation (9)

10 Screen depicting colour in a variety of rose (7)

11 Give someone a sharp reminder (5)

13 and 7 Down: Animated rodent (6,5)

15 A famous man, but there’s no side about him (6)

18 Course must be if you steer wrongly (5)

19 Failure of French umpire’s tennis call (7)

21 Out in spring? Yes (9)

23 Some notes for the legal profession (3)

24 Division has key men put outside (7)

25 Subject to regular current variation (5)

DOWN

1 Impudence rebuffed by stern traveller (7)

2 Drops that will harm the eyes (9)

3 Pitched one in an outhouse (5)

4 Adopt a new attitude in sleep (6)

5 Put on finery and rode out (7)

6 I’m quiet but he probably won’t be (3)

7 See 13 Across

12 Bud’s tired out having been roused from sleep (9)

14 Show zeal then change employment (7)

16 It’s expected to be unaffected (7)

17 I draft disposition though not in control (6)

18 Sprays of flowers (5)

20 A hostile action (5)

22 A boring set-up (3)

QUICK CLUES

ACROSS

1 Untrue (5)

4 Repudiate (7)

8 Prohibit (3)

9 Face-to-face with (2,7)

10 To mirror (7)

11 Appetising (5)

13 Accompany as guard (6)

15 Turn into (6)

18 South American mountains (5)

19 Wildly foolish (7)

21 Thoroughly (9)

23 Demeanour (3)

24 To stop (7)

25 A Dutch glazed earthenware (5)

DOWN

1 Russian court jeweller (7)

2 Having sad expression (4-5)

3 Ooze out (5) 4 Shortage (6)

5 Frighten (7)

6 Goods vehicle (3)

7 Cleverly amusing (5)

12 Deficit (9)

14 Set aside (7)

16 Passage from book (7)

17 Unfortunate situation (6)

18 To amount (3,2)

20 Distinguished (5)

22 Ruinous trouble (3)