the crosswords

PUZZLE 15610

CRYPTIC CLUES ACROSS

1 A nutmeg tree - that’s official (4-6) 8 Laughing stock of Africa and Asia (5) 9 He makes a practice of unauthorised stocktaking (7)

10 Insect swallows fruit for nourishment (7) 11 Converts and fits (5)

12 Father Time’s edgy companion? (6) 14 Agree to study a dog (6)

17 Girl from the manor (5)

19 For about a pound a girl sees part of America (7)

21 Conceal a confidential note (7) 22 Some horses eat grass, it’s said (5) 23 Cutting down what the pastry cook may need (10)

DOWN

2 Any time for pleasantness (7)

3 Get rid of unwanted letters (5)

4 List of the bookmaker’s slips (6) 5 Italian dish Rex is to turn to (7) 6 Monarch ready to draw the line (5) 7 At which one comes to the parting of the ways (10)

8 Clearly the speaker doesn’t suffer from it (10)

13 He gets a countermand to stop at sea (5,2) 15 Make a striking contribution to the conversation? (5,2)

16 Pretend to have influence (6)

18 They are used for storing stretchers (5) 20 An ear, perhaps, for music? (5)

QUICK CLUES ACROSS

1 Large stringed instrument (6,4) 8 Kingly (5)

9 Obstacle (7)

10 Use up (7)

11 Worth (5)

12 Tacit (6)

14 Worldwide (6)

17 Raging (5)

19 Having existed many years (7) 21 Perplex completely (7) 22 Unexpected defeat (5) 23 Singly (3,2,1,4)

DOWN

2 Abode of the Greek gods (7) 3 A swelling (5)

4 Badge (6)

5 Advent (7)

6 Motionless (5)

7 Permission to proceed (5,5) 8 A soft fruit (10)

13 Gratify (7)

15 Flower (7)

16 A short-legged hound (6) 18 Game of chance (5)

20 Burst forth (5)