CRYPTIC CROSSWORD

ACROSS

1. Previous schoolteachers who were supreme in their art? (4,7) 7. Went over one’s work, as I’d serve to show (7)

9. Mark left in Michelangelo’s carvings (4)

11. Means to change around a minister’s house (5)

12. Is thin on the ground, and lean around the South (6)

14. It’s a way of printing a missive to the newspapers (11) 18. Past which one doesn’t mind it happening (6)

20. An alternative to making tea is to make speeches (5)

22. It is almost time for darkness, but not quite (4)

23. Keeps maintaining its sins will be found out (7) 24. Seeking middle of carpet, lent one a different form (11)

DOWN

2. A loan on salary that’s made to five in a hop (7)

3. To Dad’s confusion, goes on to say something else (4) 4. Once more happen to find the right version of the cure (5) 5. Stuff it quietly, producing a painful muscular contraction (5) 6. Statement of belief given credit as Dee turns up (5) 8. Adds sugar to stew, seen as being different (8)

10. Birds that practise fighting their quarrels (8)

13. In full voice, weeping copiously? (3)

15. News, as a change, coming from Wales (7)

16. Is able to be in the street though there’s not much of it (5) 17. He isn’t being serious but he’ll sort out the fibres (5) 19. A rascal is one not running true to form (5)

21. Opera heroine takes 13 to be impersonation (4)