CRYPTIC CROSSWORD

ACROSS

1. To put one thing with another is a burglar’s first dodge (7)

4. Present a short pair on the tender (7)

8. Was it likely that leaders would lose energy? (4)

9. Deduce nett distribution hasn’t been found out (10)

11. Stick words on an entrance? (6)

12. Yet ladies without one may shuffle in a staid manner (8)

14. Time off for twenty-four hours? (3,2,4)

15. Walked up and down and quietly delivered unreturnable service (5)

17. Thrash, of a time that’s hugely enjoyable (5)

18. Singers preclude it with broken nose (9)

19. He’s up (like a centaur?) (8)

21. Race along one’s life’s work (6)

23. Was boasting but, we hear, was not fresh (7,3)

24. A fair amusement is like the dust (4)

25. What may stand ingrate apart would wash first perhaps? (7)

26. No longer working, so went to bed (7)

DOWN

1. It projects for the looker-out (3,6)

2. Circular for the whole of a twelvemonth? (3,3,4,5)

3. Get instrument to pitch the melody (4)

4. District in Japan where monitor is certain not to begin (10) 5. Aristophanes’ final character: decoration, say, given a finish (5) 6. Priest who faces thrones for different form (6,9)

7. Red fish at the end of the day (5)

10. What’s for pudding? Only a very small amount! (6)

13. In which flavoursome things may be found in bed (4-6) 15. Drinking companion may serve in the inn (3-3)

16. Ilium, in a variety of deeds, was done away with (9)

19. Oh! Turn up the main minor prophet! (5)

20. Duck, one appearing in broken reed (5)

22. ‘The devotion to something ____. From the sphere of our sorrow’ (Shelley) (4)