CRYPTIC CROSSWORD

ACROSS

1. Sweet stick to let fall (7)

5. Note a drop got from the chemist (5)

8. Twined the material in the finish (7)

9. Singular data giving one a line on shipping (5)

10. One from the crowd who isn’t keeping up (9)

12. Observe there to be no end to what will germinate (3)

13. It is a former deed, to be precise (5)

17. Each new day starts with its conclusion (3)

19. Always less, then? Not again! (9)

21. Am in a tizzy, which is madness (5)

22. Once old and upset, one may offer sympathy (7)

24. Is called before midday in the wrong 17 (5)

25. Fifty computers making up half of a board game (7)

DOWN

1. It will make things easier for rag with 12, perhaps (6)

2. Girl who is only a little socialist? (7)

3. Fabulous bird for Gibraltar, one is told (3)

4. Do some footwork, using this (5)

5. Presbyterian officer it is fashion to desert, or finish with (9)

6. Billets as produced by musicians (5)

7. Mother is on the sea in France with an old actor (6)

11. But it’s not the Emerald isle (9)

14. Show it’s true it’s about all right to cause anger (7)

15. A sailor will almost observe a fellow (6)

16. Step back in the wall at break (6)

18. Being dug from the ground up, it’s material (5)

20. Such cords are necessary to speak of (5)

23. Show one’s assent to the land of sleep (3) YESTERDAY’S SOLUTION

Across: 1. Strap 4. Cast off 8. Rises 9. Militia 10. Eye

11. Axiomatic 12. Note 13. Mini 18. Megabucks 20. Pie

21. Jericho 22. Aisle 23. Resists 24. Event

Down: 1. Sergeant-major 2. Respect 3. Postal 4. Commit

5. Salami 6. Octet 7. Franchisement 14. Impasse 15. Abacus

16. Across 17. Escape 19. Germs