THE CROSSWORDS DOWN

CRYPTIC CLUES

ACROSS

1 Cortes becomes a loyal companion (6)

4 Biscuits or nuts (8)

9 Bill returns to boxing, being concerned (6) 10 Show forbearance (8)

12 A call to New York Times? It will be expensive (4)

13 Poet takes orders (5)

14 Plastic container of wine (4)

17 Reason for a barrier to give affront (5,7) 20 Play rehearsal? (8,4)

23 Chestnuts in the granary (4)

24 Correct definition of noon (5)

25 Cattle without water (4)

28 Does some spelling? (8)

29 It has row upon row of rowers (6)

30 Time to start another day (8)

31 Revising his set subject (6)

DOWN

1 Intrude by chance or accident (8)

2 Do remove the sit-in demonstrator (5,3) 3 Offensive row (4)

5 Weather prophets and drivers must be able to (4,3,5)

6 Slice the approach shot (4)

7 Hemingway and Sterne novel (6)

8 Singular kind of money (6)

11 An ideal marriage immediately comes to light (7,5)

15 He has the skill and courage (5)

16 Cares for some land (5)

18 Thoughtless advice to those who are too anxious? (8)

19 Swapping presents - the impudence! (8) 21 Funny thing, it’s way above what is the best (6)

22 Doubly strengthened (6)

26 Vehicle could be an imposition on one (4)

27 A record for being drunk (4)

QUICK CLUES ACROSS

1 Italian island (6)

4 Increase fast in intensity (8) 9 On fire (6)

10 Voluntary choice (4,4) 12 Shakespearean king (4) 13 Ungainly (5)

14 Brutal ruffian (4) 17 Understand the procedure (4,3,5)

20 Scholar (3,2,7)

23 Appearance (4) 24 Subsequently (5)

25 Central US state (4) 28 Leadership (8)

29 River sacred to Hindus (6) 30 Eternal (8)

31 A state of Swiss republic (6)

1 Tchaikovsky ballet (4,4) 2 An apple brandy (8)

3 Indolent (4)

5 Unforeseen timely event (6,2,4)

6 So be it (4)

7 Dismount from horse (6)

8 High praise (6)

11 Dismantle (4,2,6)

15 Move surreptitiously (5) 16 Trivial (5)

18 Implored (8)

19 Politically motivated killer (8) 21 Unfortunate state (6) 22 Conductor’s dais (6)

26 Lose power (4)

27 Festive occasion (4)