CRYPTIC CROSSWORD

ACROSS

1. Fay set about the security (6)

4. One defying a way of improving the mind (8)

9. A polar variety of rabbit with sticking-out ears (3-3)

10. Alienate one who gets near somehow (8)

12. Italian peasant cannot do one out of it (9)

13. Bird producing last egg in tree perhaps (5)

14. Further disease that adds to the confusion (12)

18. Intrigues that give man his action (12)

21. Sunday joint, as seen among the rubbish (5)

22. Want sense? Dine out! (9)

24. Fertile clip for one to arrange (8)

25. Creature that has returned a thin plate (6)

26. Meet in one point to study the extreme edge (8)

27. Else, my way is becoming (6)

DOWN

1. Don’t go on to prepare gun but use it to turn water off (8)

2. The first thing to call one (8)

3. At air being changed, it’s one of the overheads (5)

5. May have tuned in after dance entertainment was left off (12)

6. Fur made to represent work given to outsiders (6,3)

7. Take no notice if region adapts to it (6)

8. Gets re-entered as one says hello (6)

11. Searching out of political opponents with about a hundred on the chase (5,7)

15. At any rate it’s the most foolish (9)

16. Breach of syntax one manuscript comes close to (8)

17. Condition of equilibrium could be its say-so (8)

19. Capricorn, for one, is right in subject for discussion (6)

20. Bar also on reconstruction (6)

23. It’s just like one to throw game (5)