THE CROSSWORD

CRYPTIC CLUES ACROSS

1 Cat and mouse both finish cultivating whiskers (9)

8 Medical man badly needed for dental surgery (5)

9 We get involved with hairy bats (7) 10 Position in which a man takes notes (6) 11 Andrew could be cautioned (6) 12 Cinerama developed in the States (8) 15 Springtime, when women may propose (4,4) 18 Slight difference of opinion? (6) 20 Show girl goes round in 100 (6) 21 Enraged by exchange of letters (7) 22 Darkness near the beginning of time (5) 23 Tennis shots popular with audiences? (5,4)

DOWN

2 A bad actor in comeback starts on nothing here (5)

3 We sign for some housework (6)

4 Warmed drink for a dog (8)

5 ‘Re-do it!’ could be his order on paper (6) 6 It gives accommodation inside a speed boat (7)

7 Showing unusual talent, are to take turns (9) 11 Source of water intended to be helpful (4-5) 13 The wages of sin - and anger (8) 14 Proceeds in an intriguing direction (7) 16 Cathy’s unstable craft (6)

17 Note heartbroken Knight of the Round Table (6)

19 He’s in court in a case (5)

QUICK CLUES ACROSS

1 Turning-point in affairs (9) 8 On the other hand (5) 9 Light spear for throwing (7) 10 Regular customer (6) 11 Alliance (6)

12 Just to get a thrill (3,5) 15 Reveal previously private facts (2,6)

18 Impenetrable to sight (6) 20 Agreement (6)

21 Frugal (7)

22 Fiercely strong light (5) 23 Exceptionally inexpensive (4,5)

DOWN

2 Astound (5)

3 Come to light (6) 4 Malevolent (8)

5 A fabric used for table linen (6) 6 Ireland’s patron saint (7) 7 Apart from others (2,3,4) 11 Relating to distant future (4-5)

13 A rebounding bullet (8) 14 Out of the ordinary (7) 16 Deliberately hurtful (6) 17 Send into exile (6) 19 An extremist (5)