CRYPTIC CROSSWORD

ACROSS

1. Swindling in being held by Rover (5)

4. Unprofitability in boom, nothing less, is yet flourishing (7)

8. One on the outside looking in sees what’s in store (6-7)

10. Ian will stir the young ox (5)

11. A great blow, finishing the evening with drink ... (4)

12. ... but last of guests will string along on such a night out (4)

16. It happens to occur in the past, never returning (5)

17. The one left out, a friend, in an outstanding manner (13)

19. ‘Unto one he gave five−___, to another two...’ (S Matthew) (7)

20. Downright way to make one deviate (5)

DOWN

1. Swallow a mixed gin on the way − a PM’s way (7,6)

2. An entertaining place where one is at home to the North (3)

3. Grumble at a plump bird (6)

4. The second character requested to have soaked up the sun (6)

5. So upset about grim smells! (6)

6. Somehow see Sparta as one leaves the other (9)

7. Breakfast-service? (7,6)

9. State endlessly polite one first to be about government (9)

13. To use a dredger may make things darker (6)

14. For the second time to fail to connect is neglectful (6)

15. Fruit-centres may be set in a ring (6)

18. The fish has turned up opposite the windward (3) YESTERDAY’S SOLUTION: Across 1. Fared 4. Divides 8. Rejoinder

9. Too 10. Excited 12. Semi 14. Injured 17. Last 18. Turbine 20. Eve

21. Andromeda 23. Settled 24. Slack

Down 1. Forgetfulness 2. Reject 3. Drifting 4. Dud 5. Very 6. Dotted

7. Shot in the dark 11. Doubt 13. Bedrooms 15. Aspect 16. Cinema

19. Fail 22. Did