{ THE CROSSWORDS }

PUZZLE 15711

CRYPTIC CLUES

ACROSS

1 People leaving are streaming out (9) 8 Possibly it led or leads to varied pronunciation (5) 9 Don’t go back for a loan (7) 10 Possibly deduce it’s extracted (6) 11 One of the bunch (6) 12 It’s damp around the hill for a traveller (8) 15 Shut up (8) 18 Nectar may produce a state of ecstasy (6) 20 Thrill to some exciting legends (6) 21 An opening act or passage (7) 22 Quarrel leading to arrest? (3-2) 23 Excruciating liquid food served with fish (9)

DOWN

2 Agencies that inform me before help comes up (5) 3 He comes from Armagh (6) 4 Properly adjusted car lights give good illumination (3,5) 5 The artist’s sitting room (6) 6 Make a timely entrance? (5,2) 7 Memorial of one’s death (9) 11 They reduce the risk of accidents on flight (9) 13 The odds are that it’s almost lunchtime (3,2,3) 14 Initial opportunity (7) 16 Nothing doing? (6) 17 It’s going the rounds (6) 19 Measure of restriction (5)

QUICK CLUES

ACROSS

1 Nearest relative (4,2,3) 8 Detest (5) 9 Support for climbing plant (7) 10 Move restlessly (6) 11 Saturate (6) 12 Volition (4,4) 15 Wakening bugle call (8) 18 Genuinely (6) 20 Equal footing (6) 21 Transgress (7) 22 Claw (5) 23 Dismantle (4,5)

DOWN

2 Mistaken opinion (5) 3 Natural gift (6) 4 Loyal (8) 5 Indigenous (6) 6 Feeling of vexation (7) 7 Savagery (9) 11 Loss of good name (9) 13 Wield (8) 14 From end to end (7) 16 Purpose (6) 17 Horse’s fastest pace (6) 19 Subsequently (5)