THE CROSSWORD

CRYPTIC CLUES ACROSS 1 Settle for the account that attracts interest (7)

5 Do a rough job of cleaning (5)

8 Symbols of flight? (5,8)

9 Much attached to a game of chance (5) 10 He backs Poles in track appearance (7) 11 Very little time (6)

12 Thinly spread butter and jam (6) 15 Country boy holds a map (7)

17 It will draw blood (5)

19 It helps to drive one round the bend (8,5) 20 Not a crime to be coolly carried out (5) 21 Unorthodox priests who may get up to

mischief (7) Down

1 Peg to be in debt, between 500 and 50 (5) 2 It takes all types, producing newspapers (8,5)

3 Lengthen your strides if a stair tread is missing (4,3)

4 The first time believer (6) 5 Determined to fight (3-2)

6 Finished announcement shows exaggeration (13)

7 Book for husband (7)

11 Girl with wry smile has sex appeal (7) 13 Some degrees short of actual conflict? (4,3) 14 And so I became a fair man (6)

16 He puts an oar out (5)

18 Green open spaces? (5)

QUICK CLUES ACROSS

1 A marvel (7)

5 Expertise (5)

8 State of supreme bliss (7,6) 9 Find explanation for (5) 10 Swift, sharp reply (7)

11 To stretch (6)

12 To further (6)

15 Official proving of will (7) 17 Short-lived fashion (5) 19 Cleaning of military kit (4,3,6) 20 Cherished hope (5)

21 Sailor (7)

DOWN

1 Ancient Jewish lawgiver (5) 2 Transform radically (13) 3 Relate to (7)

4 Urge strongly (6) 5 Exorbitant (5) 6 Searching enquiry (13) 7 Merciful (7) 11 Without shelter (7)

13 Aid in time of trouble (7) 14 Rarely (6)

16 Strike with fear (5) 18 An anaesthetic (5)