{ THE CROSSWORDS }

CRYPTIC CLUES ACROSS

1 Little nap on a bed rather badly made (10) 6 The band plays a short piece (4) 10 Took steps to help with training (5) 11 Forged letters used by fighters of the past (5,4) 12 This arm’s moved quite quickly (8) 13 Three goddesses lay out a feast (5) 15 Dazed US general in retreat and encircled (7) 17 It has a large bill in place perhaps (7) 19 First-rate arrangement for a performer (7) 21 Girl I took on for a job (7) 22 Coming to a vital conclusion (5) 24 Minister with a number of shepherds (8) 27 Possibly finding a stone a bit unyielding (9) 28 I complain when she returns (5) 29 Machine-gun nest blown up (4) 30 What the twister may lead you? (5,5)

DOWN

1 The kind to work as a key operator (4) 2 Descriptive of a lay figure? (9) 3 Dread variety of snake (5) 4 Withdrawing support? (7) 5 Stretch to a shelf, perhaps, to give her a cup (5,2) 7 A portion by itself (5) 8 Drives off and achieves perfection (5,2,3) 9 The bits one pinches (8) 14 Youths who have short-service commissions (6,4) 16 Status symbols? (8) 18 Oriental quarter in Dresden perhaps (9) 20 Former buccaneer has no right to make amends thus (7) 21 There’ll be friction as long as he’s at work (7) 23 Publication I put to a variety of uses (5) 25 Was a possessive type? (5) 26 Toy that needs a wind to get going (4)