CRYPTIC CROSSWORD

Across

1. Two parties misguidedly running big generator (5,7)

8. Stink gathers round eccentric old gangster (7)

9. Quickly run out after everyone, say (7)

11. It’s clear American had piano repaired first (10)

12. Woman lazily throws out first and last letters (4)

14. Doctor paid me to swallow a variable tranquilliser (8)

16. Terrible soldier arrested in wagon on way back (6)

17. Soak wheat at regular intervals (3)

19. Lower lands cropped in Holland (6)

21. It runs round room with a popular northerner (8)

24. Best way? Not entirely (4)

25. Annoy staff caught hiding more costly opinion sur

vey (6,4)

27. Most tidy home to take food inside (7)

28. Gradually introduce a PIN she renewed (5,2)

29. Deceitful detective, tortuous, concealing information (12)

Down

1. Reset a trap, taking in men in proportion (3,4)

2. Flush spring he’d filled with fish (4-6)

3. Argue about Man City’s old rules (5,3)

4. Leaves container in which there’s a fortune for some? (6)

5. What’s kept in hospital closet? (4)

6. Non-stop working with medal one’s collected (7)

7. Greek character droned on, distraught about dead shrub (12)

10. Welder may use this, eye exactly on cast? (12)

13. GP’s instrument? (5,5)

15. Catch this from moggie each week initially (3)

18. I slip badly during function and panic (8)

20. With this big wave he’s managed to generate enthusiasm (7)

22. County roles revised for jails (7)

23. Disorganised gunners joke around front of tank (6)

26. ‘It’s climbing after you!’ — sherpa’s yell? (4)