the crosswords

PUZZLE 15526

CRYPTIC CLUES ACROSS

1 A defender who is prepared to shoot, if need be (5,5) 8 He composed the last letter in the catalogue (5) 9 Geraint turns out to be a thankless person (7) 10 To redirect would be presumptuous (7) 11 Come to a similar conclusion (5) 12 Composer taken outside about a quarrel (6) 14 A swift turn-around is considered proper (3,3) 17 A custom which suits many a rider (5) 19 He escaped to become famous (7) 21 It’s extremely small and free of charge (7) 22 Hands joined together (5) 23 Excitement experienced by a new poker player? (5,5)

DOWN

2 Book a substitute (7) 3 What’s more, he gets no credit (5) 4 Makes a meal of it (6) 5 Regalia thrown out by republic (7) 6 A journal whose days are numbered (5) 7 One without a car needs a trip out (10) 8 Not right in front, having been forgotten? (4,6) 13 He may bring food from the terrace (7) 15 Sprites arise if disturbed (7) 16 Agreeable question (3,3) 18 Only pretend it’s a headland (5) 20 Common stock (5)

QUICK CLUES ACROSS

1 Heraldic bearings (4,2,4) 8 Sheep’s cry (5) 9 Senior naval officer (7) 10 Make plans (7) 11 Of aristocratic birth (5) 12 Central US state (6) 14 Feeling of revulsion (6) 17 Prickly evergreen shrub (5) 19 Prospect (7) 21 Course of diet and exercise (7) 22 Just claim (5) 23 Clavicle (10)

DOWN

2 Exceed (7) 3 Person of great strength (5) 4 Pale yellow (6) 5 Country of east Europe (7) 6 Delete (5) 7 Naval seaman (10) 8 PRE-WWII Italian fascist (10) 13 Unfathomable (7) 15 Sporting firearm (7) 16 Part of the eye (6) 18 Mode of reasoning (5) 20 Pulsate (5)