{ THE CROSSWORDS }
CRYPTIC CLUES ACROSS
1 It’s half-day closing, pal! (6)
4 Picadors are involved here and there (8)
9 A sailor standing (6)
10 Crack discovered far below the surface (8)
12 Heard I’d watched (4)
13 Glue a piece of wood (5)
14 Ground needed for play (4)
17 Business figures show what may happen after a slump (5,7)
20 It’s used for oiling locks (12)
23 A hot-tempered expression (4)
24 A charming French accent (5)
25 A burning issue (4)
28 Don’t come - give support elsewhere (4,4)
29 Goes off for the booty (6)
30 Having risen a man starts to go (8)
31 Second thoughts about offensive practical jokes (6)
DOWN
1 Loses a game (8)
2 Sacked no doubt (2,3,3)
3 Unmarried sisters (4)
5 They have a down-to-earth occupation (12)
6 Fire out of control? (4)
7 Twice appearing as understudy (6)
8 ADC gets set to review military trainees (6)
11 Sporting event that has its ups and downs (12)
15 Long time at the Pole (5)
16 Silly Annie is upset (5)
18 A tonic it may be a mention in dispatches (8)
19 Causes of ill-feeling again? (8)
21 An organ two Poles come in to work (6)
22 A pastry dish is made up in layers (6)
26 Willing but handicapped? (4)
27 Box of ship’s timber? (4)
QUICK CLUES ACROSS
1 Contemptible (6)
4 Unprepared for any surprise (3,5)
9 Legally bound (6)
10 International border (8)
12 Feudal bondman (4)
13 Position on a scale (5)
14 Stock of money (4)
17 Unemotional (6-2-4)
20 Vice versa (12)
23 Chief part in a play (4)
24 Worth (5)
25 Minus (4)
28 Uncertain as to outcome (4,4)
29 Express agreement (6)
30 Entrust to another (8)
31 Be about to happen (6)
DOWN
1 Identical (8)
2 Cheerful readiness (8)
3 Thwart (4)
5 Acquired automatic reaction (5,2,5)
6 Group of criminals (4)
7 Ill feeling (6)
8 Laugh to scorn (6)
11 Unfair (5,3,4)
15 Lure into trap (5)
16 Caustic (5)
18 Smart aleck (8)
19 Deliberate (8)
21 Imperfect (6)
22 Wilfully destructive person (6)
26 Yearn (4)
27 Shape (4)