ACROSS 1. 4. 8. 10. 11. 12. 16. 17. 19. 20.

CRYPTIC CROSSWORD

First child to pour out a ringing cough (5)

Cynic of about fifty perhaps starts going by bike (7) The latest way to put in mute, he works out (2,2,3,6) There’s room in the roof for cat, it might appear (5) Pin one down to pay on it, and be prompt (4) How to check the winding-shaft on the watch (4) Boy with bow takes the trophy I’d made (5) Being constrained, prudes ensure it’s about right (5,8) Is an eavesdropper among insects (7)

How to harass the reporters (5) DOWN

1. Business office reckoning on the Commons (8-5)

2. It is no more acceptable to be dismissed (3)

3. Footway an Afghan takes (6)

4. Make a fuss, or something new (6)

5. Settle the argument with a close embrace (6)

6. Aunt dined out, and was overwhelmed (9)

7. Mechanics smoke as energy is produced (6-7)

9. Post one’s instructions to supply goods to such a firm (4,5)

13. Toll on company trio turns to (6)

14. Contemptuously rejects heel-goads around the North (6)

15. Does one’s arithmetic, which makes sense (4,2)

18. Under supervision, engineer starts employment (3) YESTERDAY’S SOLUTION

Across: 1. Diced 4. Plastic 8. Spinsters 9. Ran 10. Outdoor

12. Oslo 14. Pension 17. Ruth 18. Rosetta 20. Imp

21. Scarlatti 23. Greased 24. Susan

Down: 1. Disconcerting 2. Chitty 3. Discover 4. Poe 5. Also

6. Thrush 7. Consolidation 11. Riser 13. Consults 15. Staple

16. Status 19. Uses 22. Add