THE CROSSWORDS

CRYPTIC CLUES ACROSS

1 Common forger (5)

8 Gambling game that’s allowed in a way (8) 9 It’s a decorative edging, one gathers (5) 10 Maybe he’s Roman cavalry trooper (8) 11 What most men have to do in a quiet way (5)

12 The main point in General Booth’s army (3) 16 Quickly put the balance in the Post Office (6) 17 Chinese city is part of Switzerland (6) 18 A custom, somewhat abused (3)

23 Stop at sea (5)

24 Correspondent in harmony (8)

25 Break down in disagreement (5)

26 Goes down the wrong way? We’re glad to hear it! (4,4)

27 Hangs about - it’s a grind (5)

DOWN

2 Infantry consisting of a thousand bowmen (8)

3 Present for a viewer (8)

4 Doctor got out of bed in a bad mood (6) 5 Soft and luxuriant pile fabric (5)

6 See 14 Down

7 Intends to get sufficient funds (5) 12 Rings us up about a trifling sum of foreign money (3)

13 An expert well served (3) 14 and 6 Down: Beginning of a childhood romance (4,4,1,4)

15 They may certify what the last eleven signs of the zodiac are (8)

19 Southern wines blended for strength (6) 20 Contents of many an ancient vessel (5) 21 It sweeps right inside the harbour bar (5) 22 Threatened strike that doesn’t come off (5)

QUICK CLUES

ACROSS

1 Fully mature (5)

8 Place in abeyance (3,2,3) 9 Much frequented place (5) 10 Loss of nerve (4,4)

11 Stage in growth (5) 12 Write (3)

16 Eastern temple (6)

17 A cream-filled pastry (6) 18 Clever humour (3)

23 A root vegetable (5) 24 Likely to cause fear (8) 25 Shirk (5)

26 To curb (8)

27 Sorrow (5)

DOWN

2 A tie in a race (4,4) 3 Remote chance of success (4,4) 4 Public uproar (6) 5 Temperamental (5) 6 Female fox (5)

7 Of little importance (5) 12 Clawed animal foot (3) 13 After all deductions (3)

14 Die down (4,4)

15 Trachea (8)

19 Pour in by drops (6)

20 To bear (5)

21 Soft light wood (5) 22 Stinging pain (5)