{ THE CROSSWORDS }

PUZZLE 16405

CRYPTIC CLUES ACROSS

1 Time of arrival (4,2,5)

9 Unnecessary loss of a point irritates (7) 10 Disquiet and misgiving in equal measure (5)

11 Nelson’s novel companion (4)

12 Inarticulate singer likely to get his voice back (8)

14 The insecure should when they lose heart (6)

16 Dog set about some heavy food (6) 18 Drink of tea I sent out for (8)

19 Ring starts involuntary movement of the ear (4)

22 We don’t want the criminal to be at it (5) 23 Harsh wind from South and East (7)

24 True gauge of what’s left in the gin bottle? (6,5)

DOWN

2 A light across the ship (5)

3 They may be jellied or else cooked (4) 4 Union of us in dispute (6)

5 Inquiries into the cause of being late (8) 6 Dogged, but couldn’t keep up with the others (7)

7 A linseed rub may be unpleasant (11)

8 See me cringe from such crises (11)

13 A priceless attraction to the thirsty (4,4) 15 It’s important to one’s standing as a rider (7)

17 Channel without water, we hear (6) 20 This is plural (5)

21 Offshore spot I stole away to (4)

QUICK CLUES ACROSS

1 Gesture of reconciliation (5,6) 9 A variant form (7) 10 Himalayan city (5)

11 Roughly made (4) 12 Evocative (8)

14 Paradise (6)

16 Edge (6)

18 Be valid (4,4)

19 Game of Scottish origin (4) 22 In a slow tempo (5)

23 Apart (7)

24 Dismiss summarily (4,7)

DOWN

2 Horrifying (5)

3 Conceited (4)

4 Author of The Pilgrim’s Progress (6) 5 Provided that (2,4,2)

6 Strong desire (7)

7 Past one’s prime (4,3,4)

8 Slow in taking effect (7,4)

13 18th Century English potter (8) 15 As a whole (2,5)

17 A musical composition (6)

20 Of a bygone age (5)

21 Large mass (4)