the crosswords

CRYPTIC CLUES

ACROSS

1 Make a fuss spring-cleaning? (4,2,1,4) 9 Possibly be a rich Israeli (7)

10 Act as a paid informer (5)

11 A staggering piece of film (4)

12 In which members vote for a share-out (8) 14 She may raise people’s spirits . . . (6)

16 . . . in this (6)

18 The humidity of our times (8)

19 Continent, as I am to start with (4)

22 A master of many subjects (5)

23 Dispensed with red tape and came to the point (7)

24 Honeymoon express, perhaps, may be held up (6,5)

DOWN

2 I’m getting a numberless blue dye (5) 3 Some dark, handsome ruler in the East (4) 4 Eat out? (6)

5 Ordered with full particulars (8)

6 It’s not a strange place to catch a train (7) 7 It makes things easy to forget (5,6)

8 Get new owners and new staff (6,5) 13 Gathered it’s said to be hot stuff (8)

15 His money may be well-earned (7)

17 Blurt out and admit article is vicious (6) 20 Possibly arise in the conversation of caravanners? (5)

A boom in shipping, perhaps (4)

QUICK CLUES

ACROSS

1 In addition (11)

9 Receive under a will (7) 10 Large mass of insects (5) 11 Hindu spiritual teacher (4) 12 Large and luxurious (8) 14 Insurrection (6)

16 Deeply sad (6)

18 Sicken (8)

19 Information (4)

22 Express willingness (5) 23 Extend (7)

24 Seek to compromise (4,7)

DOWN

2 Escort courteously (5)

3 Sod (4)

4 Additional charges (6) 5 Indiscriminate killing (8) 6 Interpretation (7)

7 Huge sum of money (5,6) 8 Coins of low value (5,6) 13 Clandestinely (2,6) 15 Confused struggle (7) 17 State of total perfection (6) 20 Distinctive savoury smell (5) 21 Spend time idly (4)