CRYPTIC/QUICK CROSSWORD

NO.615

Here’s your chance to win a Collins Concise English Dictionary. Complete the crossword using either the cryptic or the quick clues and send it to us with your name and address. Send your solution to: Cryptic/Quick Crossword No.615, The Irish Mail on Sunday, PO Box 5332, Cardiff Lane, Dublin 2. Entries must be received by Thursday. The winner will be drawn from a hat. The winner of Cryptic/Quick Crossword No.614 is Tom Prendergast, Bandon. Co. Cork.

CRYPTIC CLUES Across

1 Diplomacy to lie about being touchy-feely (7) 5 Bill crept off – that is, coming back in (7) 10 Impudent behaviour reported in France, formerly (4) 11 Child takes part in the interval (5,5) 12 Liken his construction to a city (8) 13 Cord in knot from North Europe (6) 14 Obstacle no problem for member of the peerage (5) 16 Scrabble, say, to send gem abroad (5,4) 19 Draw attention to varied set being prepared (9) 21 Drop inferior wine (5) 23 Swear terribly about new response (6) 25 About to get people in a state (8) 27 Sportsman to turn to wearing furs with hesitation (10) 28 Sail around with German lady (4) 29 Sharpen pen to create the best policy (7) 30 Audience member displaying cheek about liberal resistance (7)

Down

2 A foundation that is corrupt (5) 3 Firm exercise after bending steel – that brings things closer (9) 4 Feeble book or piece of music (6) 6 Managed to send Terry out, wandering (8) 7 Three put out by an anaesthetic (5) 8 For every chap holding minute fruit (9) 9 At home, enjoy nothing but colour (6) 15 Tempo also not in a composition (9) 17 Flashy-looking, but worthless, ingot? (4,5) 18 Trust sad, mad yet magical feeling (8) 20 It follows trouble for the missus (6) 22 Boxes, note, are in short supply (6) 24 Point to one side of a triangle (5) 26 Children are the matter in question (5)

THE PAGE’S QUICK CLUES Across

1 Relating to touch (7) 5 Proof of purchase (7) 10 Old region of West Europe (4) 11 Musical interval (5,5) 12 Capital of Finland (8) 13 Scandinavian (6) 14 Nobleman (5) 16 Indoor pastime (5,4) 19 Make known (9) 21 Put down carelessly (5) 23 Reply (6) 25 Non-monarchy (8) 27 Water-riding sportsman (10) 28 ––– Lund, Casablanca character (4) 29 Frankness (7) 30 Abusive interrupter (7)

Down

2 Humiliate (5) 3 Optical instrument (9) 4 Expression of grief (6) 6 Wandering in search of adventure (8) 7 Flammable liquid (5) 8 Edible fruit (9) 9 Dark blue dye (6) 15 Musical tempo (9) 17 Something with only superficial appearance of value (4,5) 18 Charismatic quality (8) 20 Discord (6) 22 Thinly dispersed (6) 24 Tapered block (5) 26 Important topic (5)