{ THE CROSSWORDS }
CRYPTIC CLUES ACROSS
1 Possibly a bit past it might describe John (7)
5 First odd results of splits (5) 8 Chopping up the garlic with apathy (9) 9 The best-known surviving creature? (3) 10 The fools pass out (4)
12 Prior is an outwardly pious clergyman (8) 14 Bird seems quietly affectionate (6) 15 Intellectual confused by Iran (6)
17 Being prejudiced is only right, perhaps (3-5) 18 Given employment? (4)
21 Behave like a wild cat? (3) 22 Protection money? (9)
24 Gain favour with a hot dish (5)
25 The team won’t be prepared to play without him (7)
DOWN
1 Bottle-opener and drinks in packs (5) 2 Pussy perhaps is in a sulk (3) 3 Terrible ruler of vain disposition (4) 4 Wild animals create a stir, for example (6) 5 Hope for the lost and sick (8) 6 I forecast a change in industrial buildings (9) 7 Leave nothing to be desired (7) 11 One who defends Cromwell? (9) 13 One of the blessings of city life (8) 14 A crop is knocked flat (7) 16 Domestic service (3,3) 19 Ear doctor is superior though gloomy (5) 20 Article about a piece of land (4) 23 A religious palindrome (3)
QUICK CLUES ACROSS
1 A stone fruit (7) 5 Tolerate (5) 8 Misaligned (3,2,4) 9 Circuit of racetrack (3) 10 Follow in surveillance (4) 12 Adverse (8) 14 Children’s day nursery (6) 15 Very small (6) 17 Person easily influenced (8) 18 Pay attention to (4) 21 Prohibit (3) 22 Independently (2,4,3) 24 Upright (5) 25 In conclusion (7)
DOWN
1 Approximately (5) 2 Furrow cut by wheels (3) 3 Blow with open hand (4) 4 An objective (6) 5 Outline of dramatic work (8) 6 Without hurry (2,7) 7 To empty (7) 11 Basically (2,7) 13 Gunfight to the death (5-3) 14 Competent (7) 16 Detonate (3,3) 19 Dirty-looking (5) 20 Sharp (4) 23 Nocturnal bird of prey (3)