Cryptic Clues

ACROSS

1 Back-biter! (5)

4 The last form of secrecy (7)

8 The French I hurt, but only in

fun (7)

9 A feature one must consider

in pricing cakes! (5)

10 They marked the passing of

the horse-drawn vehicle (4)

11 Being of true race perhaps (8)

13 It sounds a crude measure (4)

14 It’s made to last (4)

16 Put into water and simmered,

perhaps (8)

17 Transport, thanks to the team

(4)

20 Hesitantly stated a colour and

was wrong (5)

21 Brought facts to light, once

one had asked questions (7)

22 To commit it one rats

perhaps! (7)

23 Going backwards or forwards

a helicopter needs it (5)

DOWN

1 Important occurrence concerning an army officer? (5,8)

2 He composed the last letter

in the catalogue (5)

3 It flies or takes a train (4)

4 Makes things less sharp (6)

5 Not the happiest inscriptions?

Yet they could be! (8)

6 A lie and a ruse may obtain

some free time (7)

7 He takes the lot (7,6)

12 Pals in the trade unions? (8)

13 Some err badly and show

regret (7)

15 It flows always between North

and South (6)

18 Tessa came up with

something useful (5)

19 Fight, probably rigged (4)