the crosswords

PUZZLE 14761

CRYPTIC CLUES ACROSS

1 Expires thereabouts in smash (8,3) 9 A second time (7) 10 Field division that takes years to train (5) 11 Has old-fashioned style (4) 12 Distribute or secure aid (8) 14 Smiled wryly when given the wrong directions (6) 16 A way to divert people? (6) 18 Ron’s name is different in Scandinavian (8) 19 Tool turned to burglarious purpose (4) 22 Set up in rear (5) 23 Keep going on about how to use embrocation (3,2,2) 24 Anyway it’s where papers like to have reporters (2,3,6)

DOWN

2 Course must be if you steer wrongly (5) 3 A grating not fully closed (4) 4 Hired assassins? Good show, chaps! (6) 5 Vessel sunk at the bar (8) 6 English capital put into new ground and stand (7) 7 Just a privilege objected to (5-6) 8 Doing a boring job perhaps (11) 13 Supporter leaped exultantly about the street (8) 15 Fit and sure to be made excess to requirements (7) 17 Some islands are of Eastern origin (6) 20 One of those pieces of eight (5) 21 Efficient island uprising (4)

QUICK CLUES ACROSS

1 Reliable source of information (6,5) 9 Open to question (2,5) 10 Middle East country (5) 11 Receive on merit (4) 12 Surpassed (8) 14 Beginner (6) 16 Physical condition (6) 18 Mix together indiscriminately (8) 19 50 per cent (4) 22 Utter fool (5) 23 Of the heart (7) 24 Bitterness of speech (5,6)

DOWN

2 Senior (5) 3 Morose (4) 4 Intend (3,3) 5 Preoccupied (8) 6 Extreme confusion (7) 7 Stifle a retort (4,4,3) 8 Be shameless enough (4,3,4) 13 Oriental curved sword (8) 15 A finishing glossiness (7) 17 Evoke in response (6) 20 Farewell (5) 21 Smile broadly (4)