THE CROSSWORDS

PUZZLE 15861

CRYPTIC CLUES ACROSS

1 Burning waste on a huge scale (6)

4 Rank I can change in a way (6)

9 Pass gone astray in German city (7)

10 Kind of support a painter may need (5) 11 Rod, pole or perch (5)

12 Breathe fire (7)

13 Such appearances are immaterial (11)

18 The mantle of sleep is (7)

20 A pie’s turned brown (5)

22 Pacific islands named after a doctor in South Africa (5)

23 Prayer for one who may supply money to us (7)

24 Dennis did the wrong thing when he made a comeback (6)

25 Emphasise it’s a cause of tension (6)

DOWN

1 Guard dog - watch out! (6)

2 He will shortly get a ring and reply (5) 3 Great at organised water sports (7) 5 Helps a beast in distress (5) 6 A comfortable lead on a pool table (7) 7 Digs occupied by a lot of sprites (6) 8 He may have brave patients (8,3) 14 Attract a fellow coach (7) 15 Visible discernment? (7)

16 Fits and starts (6)

17 Circulates free tickets (6) 19 Disturb for a moment (5) 21 Vegetables taken by nurses (5)

QUICK CLUES

ACROSS

1 Scandalous rumour (6) 4 Irish accent (6)

9 Come to grief (7) 10 Supreme happiness (5) 11 Very disagreeable (5) 12 Keep track of (7)

13 Be much affected by (4,2,5) 18 Provisional (7)

20 Cringe (5) 22 Understanding (5) 23 Impartial (7) 24 Disconcert (6)

25 A fine knitted fabric (6)

DOWN

1 Loud laugh (6) 2 Material (5)

3 Gratify (7)

5 Small songbird (5) 6 Sparkle (7)

7 Make certain (6) 8 Mental attitude (5,2,4) 14 Draw to oneself (7)

15 Bar from consideration (7) 16 A pungent spice (6) 17 By mouth (6)

19 Drive back (5) 21 Goods for sale (5)