{ THE CROSSWORDS }
CRYPTIC CLUES
ACROSS
1 Actors may be faced with it backstage (11)
9 Work put forward but not accepted (7)
10 Act it so as to be understood (5)
11 Double act now extinct (4)
12 His opinion is sure to be of some value (8)
14 God that is around for curative purposes (6)
16 Material mother makes on request (6)
18 Making contact and appealing to one’s sympathy (8)
19 Piece of ice destined to give way (4)
22 One understood in radio communications (5)
23 Doubter is disposed to be intrusive (7)
24 Yet they may be the product of an active imagination (4,7)
DOWN
2 Blame one put on the head of Dean
Swift (5)
3 Some chap seeking a place in the church (4)
4 The boy most likely to succeed (6)
5 Where barristers practise drinking (2,3,3)
6 Despoiled icon is restored to a city of Cyprus (7)
7 A graphic description? (4,7)
8 Stockholder (11)
13 Having responsibility in attack (2,6)
15 Somehow grudged not being fully conscious of events (7)
17 Such a yarn may produce a groan (6)
20 Give out centre part of text due for revision (5)
21 Of concern to the listener (4)
QUICK CLUES ACROSS
1 Dispel tension (5,3,3) 9 Unusually large (7)
10 Pattern of fibre in wood (5) 11 Calamitous (4)
12 Drowsy (8)
14 To attempt to gratify (6)
16 Dry inflammable material (6) 18 Leading (8)
19 Sluggish (4)
22 Be repeated (5)
23 Muslim (7)
24 Gain revenge on (3,4,4)
DOWN
2 Subsequently (5)
3 Sour (4)
4 A quivering (6)
5 Given only as a favour (2,6) 6 Concisely (2,1,4)
7 Take temporary charge (4,3,4) 8 A few times (4,2,5) 13 Inundate (8)
15 A marvel (7)
17 Have ambition (6)
20 Utmost extent (5)
21 Sudden misfortune (4)