thecrosswords

CRYPTIC CLUES ACROSS

1 Positions assumed by a duettist (9)

8 Animal arrived and left shortly afterwards (5) 9 He’s entitled to star if put in a fresh production (7)

10 They’re neat (6)

11 People mending pipes? (6)

12 Why we consult reference books, of course (2,2,4)

15 and 17 Down:

The best quality of a high churchman? (8,6) 18 Toiler disposed to belie his nature (6)

20 Take cover (6)

21 Last drop of drama (7)

22 Such work is speculative (5)

23 Important description of a plateau? (4,5)

DOWN

2 A hot evening to start swimming in a mountain lake (5)

3 Republic is setting up a king (6) 4 Naughty nun’s feat is to unzip! (8)

5 Wild capers may get you into one (6) 6 His play won’t earn him money (7)

7 Sad boy seen when a vessel is about to leave (4,5)

11 They should be well loaded by Christmas Eve! (9)

13 Is it operated by the ring finger? (4,4) 14 Somehow ends Red China (7)

16 His run to make a quick entrance (6) 17 See 15 Across

19 Pick the literary section (5)

QUICK CLUES ACROSS

1 Extremely unpleasant (9) 8 Having proper self-respect (5) 9 Hesitant (7) 10 Threefold (6)

11 Feel bitter about (6) 12 Intrinsic (8)

15 Stupid (8)

18 Mystic rapture (6)

20 Take away (6) 21 Scholarly (7)

22 Golf course (5)

23 Loud clamour (3,3,3)

DOWN

2 Two of a kind (5) 3 Beginning (6)

4 Very quickly (2,2,4) 5 Thinly scattered (6) 6 Intricate (7)

7 Exciting experience (9) 11 Long, involved procedure (9) 13 Frenzied emotional state (8) 14 The windflower (7) 16 Unstinting (6)

17 Frank (6)

19 Supply what is required (5)