CRYPTIC CROSSWORD

27/3 ACROSS

1. It is consistent with no vowel sound (9)

5. Was not happy to sack such a misfit (3)

7. Can’t feel a figure without hesitation (4)

8. Mad sounding animal tailless cat can be (8)

10. Be beneath rude line that’s written out (8)

11. Umpire’s instruction to start the drama (4)

13. Over there, rode around New York (6)

15. Involving singers in Bach or Alban Berg (6)

18. Parabolic reflector may be brought to table (4)

19. Bargain for a bond that may shrink (8)

22. One of the four points in a red-hat (8)

23. Devise a drawing for an architect (4)

24. Thrust a computer term at one (3)

25. Decorative inlaid work given a quarter-turn in my holding (9)

DOWN

1. Batsman’s score is multiplied by five (7)

2. Is called mean perhaps on the day (5)

3. The language that’s used, by gum! (6)

4. Distance of race a horse will take in short, light steps (4)

5. Lay, as cruel as can be (7)

6. Pretty girl the old washerwoman took in hand (5)

9. Tidal estuary will make a sound like a rusty hinge (5)

12. Bloodless side that starts a game of chess (5)

14. Patent medicine of sort that three-quarters of 7 take (7)

16. Dormant state any Celt might get into (7)

17. Silky cloth or ham one uses to replace it (6)

18. Colour-scheme and furnishings form half the embellishment (5)

20. Has everything to put up and parcel out (5)

21. Prices rise slightly in this business (4) YESTERDAY’S SOLUTION Across:

Down: