BARE BONES

Our Bare Bones Crossword is unique because you have to complete the grid – numbers and squares – as well. We have inserted four black squares and four clue numbers to get you going. The crossword has a four-way symmetry: both top and bottom and left and right match, so you can fill in 12 more squares straight away. There is a prize of a Collins Pocket Thesaurus. Send your solution to: Bare Bones Puzzle No.585, The Irish Mail on Sunday, PO Box 5332, Cardiff Lane, Dublin 2. Entries must arrive by Thursday, January 4 (photocopies not accepted). The winner of Bare Bones No.584 is Carmel Gleeson, Kilcullen, Co. Kildare. Across 5 Inspect recording that includes a ghost 8 One husband included a whole mass of pebbles 11 A politician in a certain amount of current 12 Quietly feel aggrieved for now 13 Struggled to get something soft to walk on 14 German to rule out insubstantial food 15 Firm rig constructed for a pet 20 Bear charging round a bend 21 In true style, European leader has followers 22 In cards, expert starts revealing diamonds 23 Told to be part of the family 24 Performer has a key to a lock Down 1 Easy to work with small piece of writing 2 Second pitcher to be found in a drain 3 He guides you and me to that woman 4 Never generous either side of the border 6 Solved miracle with Greek character, based on experience 7 Highly confidential spot back on Crete, oddly (Two words) 9 Shy person finds dog in unusual tint 10 I ruled gig out for young association member (Two words) 16 Form a union to ruin railway 17 Spend time getting to know workplace 18 Stool pigeon points to a king 19 Easel managed to contract