the crosswords
CRYPTIC CLUES ACROSS
1 Delay when the mail has broken open (8) 5 Backing favourites for pace (4) 9 Let it be put right (5) 10 It gives lift when a flier comes to an obstacle (7) 11 Gives publicity to rows overseas (6,6) 13 No rest for members of the choir (6) 14 Shoots out from hiding (6) 17 They provide cover for retirement (5,7) 20 A transgression in the East that’s silly (7) 21 I rose, prepared to shoot (5) 22 New mode of ecclesiastical architecture? (4) 23 Under strain to come back for the final courses (8)
DOWN
1 Stop making a lot of money (4) 2 Placed in a losing position in tennis (3,4) 3 A delightful excursion (8,4) 4 Most attractive form of insect (6) 6 Thanks to an expression of disapproval, it’s prohibited (5) 7 A padre is translated into heaven (8) 8 Joint enterprises for making underclothing (12) 12 Criterion required by one who is flagging (8) 15 The first head of government (7) 16 Maintain there’s some body in the beer (6) 18 Sounds a ghastly storyteller (5) 19 Recklessly risk one’s arm in Malaya? (4)
QUICK CLUES ACROSS
1 Persuade (8) 5 Imprint vividly (4) 9 Reasoned thought (5) 10 A kind (7) 11 Very influential member (7,5) 13 Pleasure trip (6) 14 Make known (6) 17 Shockingly (12) 20 Small onion (7) 21 Ramshackle dwelling (5) 22 Resembling (4) 23 French military policeman (8)
DOWN
1 To name (4) 2 Lack of attention (7) 3 By the way (12) 4 Gaming establishment (6) 6 Object (5) 7 Hold back in doubt (8) 8 Hypocritical (5-7) 12 Huge (8) 15 Covering entire surface (3,4) 16 Ardent temperament (6) 18 Course for running (5) 19 Run away (4)