THE CROSSWORDS

CRYPTIC CLUES ACROSS

1 Used to be in a job (8)

5 Farm boss (4)

9 Moslem leader said to be virtuous (5)

10 Area in which subjects round the king get heated (7)

11 Spoils actions meant to rectify (12)

13 Take in with the eye of a sailor (6)

14 Compel to do a favour? (6)

17 Spirited relations (5,7)

20 New name given to one flower (7)

21 Epic story held back by the dailies (5)

22 Remain in support (4)

23 True song about a caviare supplier (8)

DOWN

1 Writing under the Spanish trees (4)

2 They preach equality to their male followers (7)

3 Striking out, toiler in boat capsizes (12)

4 Place in a grave situation (6)

6 Turn to smoke? (5)

7 Diana’s bloomer will result in catastrophe (8)

8 Strong defence a fighter has to be very fast to penetrate (5,7)

12 Sea passages (8)

15 I seem somehow to follow it in detail (7)

16 Many of us live in this sort of way (6)

18 Worktime entertainment (5)

19 A retreat east of Suez (4)

QUICK CLUES ACROSS

1 Be slow to take effect (4,4)

5 To cripple (4)

9 Acquit (5)

10 Abundant (7)

11 Warm (12)

13 Defame (6)

14 Reveal (6)

17 Autocracy (12)

20 To nurture (7)

21 Maltreat (5)

22 Napoleon’s first place of exile (4)

23 Potential customer (8)

DOWN

1 A German wine (4)

2 Requisite (7)

3 Automatic routine (5,2,5)

4 Enumerate (6)

6 Spicy fragrance (5)

7 Very skilful (8)

8 Deeply involved (2,2,4,4)

12 Testimony (8)

15 Gourmet (7)

16 Pester (6)

18 Small particle (5)

19 Keen enjoyment (4)