CRYPTIC CROSSWORD

ACROSS

1 Get down from this? (4)

3 No danger signal? (3,5) 8 Vessel for rubbish (4) 9 Possibly violated a joint (8) 11 It’s bound to appeal to the less affluent! (5,7)

13 Cause to be esteemed when earned, perhaps? (6) 14 Small boat that’s easily damaged (6)

17 Far better than other paperboys? (7,5)

20 Net value in its final form (8) 21 Leave out some indomitable characters? (4)

22 All the singles? (8)

23 Rode around a river (4)

DOWN

1 A number expelled could be downcast (8)

2 Make an effort to study with care (7)

4 Men known for insurance in the main? (6)

5 Chat like Jack Sprat’s wife? (4,3,3)

6 Time to finish is what poets may need (5)

7 Depend on entirely, not half! (4)

10 It seems family man is involved in new play ... (10) 12 ... but new director still has to be paid (8)

15 Imagined myself in fear (7) 16 Air filter? (6)

18 Possibly three in that place (5)

19 Give up like a selected competitor, say? (4)

Yesterday’s solutions:

Across: 1 Promptitude. 9 Counter. 10 Khaki. 11 Order. 12 Sunburn. 13 Nobody. 15 Thwart. 18 Austere. 20 Satin. 22 Thing. 23 Growler. 24 Undertaking.

Down: 2 Round. 3 Motored. 4 Thrust. 5 Token. 6 Dracula. 7 Accountants. 8 Piano tuners. 14 Bastion. 16 Hassock. 17 Weight. 19 Eagle. 21 Talon.