TWO-SPEED CROSSWORD

CRYPTIC CLUES ACROSS

1 Thinner than pale ghost

(5,6) 9 Paddle, or so we hear (3) 10 Robin near to transfer of

mindless task (2-7) 11 Eavesdrop, though line isn’t

rigged (6,2) 12 Fall for excursion (4) 14 Rudely curt about the

French knife-maker (6) 16 One grows flowers (6) 18 Tow old copper with scrap

of cloth (4) 19 Ornament for wrist – pair

allowed (8) 22 He observes speakers giving cheek to a university lecturer (3-6) 23 Surprised expression from

business circle (3) 24 Risky opening could be

more use (11)

DOWN

2 Cut Herbert’s plants (5) 3 More gentle person made

an offer (8) 4 Tim takes bus back to

surrender (6) 5 Even kiss Mary?

Goodness me! (1,3) 6 Disregards devastated

regions (7) 7 Pamper girl cook (11) 8 Suggestion in favour of

location (11) 13 Gets hold of no amateur

remedies (8) 15 Pirates’ silly walk (7) 17 Merchant hung up red art

(6) 20 Deputy leaders of Liberals or Conservatives upset ministers (5) 21 Smack heart-throb? (4)

COFFEE TIME ACROSS

1 Paint thinner (5,6) 9 Boat’s paddle (3) 10 Easy task (2-7) 11 Eavesdrop (6,2) 12 Almost fall (4) 14 Knife maker (6) 16 Eye parts (6) 18 Pull (4) 19 Band for the wrist (8) 22 Mouth watching deaf person (3-6) 23 Dove’s call (3) 24 Bold (11)

DOWN

2 Aromatic plants (5) 3 Proffered (8)

4 Capitulate (6) 5 Goodness me! (1,3) 6 Disregards (7) 7 Overindulge (11) 8 Scheme put forward (11) 13 Gets hold of (8) 15 Slog, trudge (7) 17 Dealer (6) 20 Deputising doctor (5) 21 Drummer’s rhythm (4)

PREVIOUS SOLUTION

Across: 1 Curmudgeon; 8 Still; 9 Negated; 10 Algeria; 11

Nicks; 12 Reassured; 15 Embed; 17 Rat race; 19 Methane; 20 Act up; 21 Chain store.

Down: 2 Using; 3 Malaria; 4 Dental surgeon; 5 Egg on; 6 Noticed; 7 Adds; 8 Swam; 12 Robotic(k); 13 Retract; 14 Weep; 15 Elms; 16 Drama; 18 Altar (Alter).