2-Speed Crossword

CRYPTIC CLUES ACROSS

8 Leaves firm after Cabot returns (7)

9 Poison in canned beef? (5)

10 Stadium in region accommodating any number (5)

11 Fish caught by female bird (7) 12 Poor old king, it’s recalled, put in river (9)

15 When vampires sleep in Drogheda yard (3)

16 Tory scam? (3)

17 Criminal ran brothel, mostly obscene (9)

20 Bishop left unconscious in error (7)

22 Wartime prisoner meeting monarch might (5)

24 Learner at home with good old jargon (5)

25 Everyone in performance is superficial (7)

DOWN

1 Maroon thread (6)

2 Hobo excited to hold woodwind item (4)

3 Ache with cold during Asiatic storm (8)

4 Island house: unfinished hut on poles (6)

5 Return stake that’s hotly tipped in Sicily (4)

6 Steer game where Blues won? (8)

7 Kind of bishop to leave bin out (2, 1, 3)

13 In Nissan Guinevere is cheerful (8)

14 Spaniard perhaps a pure one corrupted (8)

16 Young animal entertaining graduate element (6)

18 Endlessly difficult idiot making trouble (6)

19 Chucked from seat of power we hear (6)

21 Backing humour in unpleasant fate (4)

23 Lehman’s went to this rich Manhattan street (4)

COFFEE TIME ACROSS

8 Nicotine plant (7)

9 Venom, e.g. (5)

10 Sports venue (5) 11 Garden bird (7)

12 Impoverished (9) 15 24-hour period (3) 16 Swindle (3)

17 Revolting (9)

20 Mistake (7)

22 Strength (5)

24 Slang (5)

25 Not deep (7)

DOWN

1 Filament (6)

2 Reed instrument (4)

3 Hip pain (8)

4 Japanese land mass (6) 5 Italian volcano (4)

6 Elite academia (8)

7 To some extent (2, 1, 3) 13 Optimistic (8)

14 Continental (8)

16 Deep blue (6)

18 Pester (6)

19 Disconcerted (6)

21 Destiny (4)

23 Brick barrier (4)