Two-speed coffeebreak Two sets of clues – but the answers are the same.

CRYPTIC CLUES ACROSS

1 Ragged sort of weapon (6) 4 Advertise bung (4) 7 City of Czechoslovakia (4) 8 The first to permit candle material (6) 9 Amateur only has money (4) 10 Melanie has style (4) 12 Possibly airs a dress (4) 14 Procure from strange tradesman (3) 16 Initially an alien ship (3) 17 Cure using shade (4) 20 Party is a hit (4) 23 Got bigger, in meagre way (4) 24 Changes nowadays past improving (6) 25 Reportedly lift beams (4) 26 Tax is a chore (4) 27 Resemble man with token (6)

DOWN

1 The same two dots (5) 2 German university students get the bird (4) 3 Argumentative sportsman (5) 4 Pale sort of request (4) 5 Laze in drawing room (6) 6 German presenter has spirit (5) 11 Rail about fibber (4) 13 Organise sale of drinks (4) 15 Chap is terrible bore about river temperature (6) 16 Encouraged to be terribly rude with note (5) 18 Follow affair with husband (5) 19 Mopes about at meeting (5) 21 A method of being on holiday (4) 22 Old friend gets a stone (4)

QUICK CLUES ACROSS

1 Knife (6) 4 Stopper (4) 7 European capital (4) 8 Animal fat (6) 9 Currency unit (4) 10 Dash, flair (4) 12 Indian garment (4) 14 Obtain (3) 16 Flying saucer? (1,1,1) 17 Linen colour (4) 20 Knock (4) 23 Increased (4) 24 Modifies (6) 25 Flatfish (4) 26 Obligation (4) 27 Symbol (6)

DOWN

1 Likewise (5) 2 Sea bird (4) 3 Oarsman (5) 4 Entreaty (4) 5 Living room (6) 6 Spectre (5) 11 Dishonest person (4) 13 Beers (4) 15 Mr De Niro? (6) 16 Advised (5) 18 Pursue (5) 19 Racecourse (5) 21 Not at home (4) 22 Gemstone (4)