CRYPTIC CROSSWORD

ACROSS

9 Not having left of one’s own accord, as it proved (6,3) 10 Take longer to tell (9) 12 Duck, sweetheart! (4) 13 He stole on board (6) 14 When the girl returns, Don is out at the jeweller’s (7) 15 The woman takes another, quickly (2,1,6) 17 “Lacking in stature” is not enough (3,6) 18 Got badly stung myself, going in to get the spices (7) 19 Having spoken with me about the general mood (6) 20 Be off animals (4) 23 Am taking grub back for her to consume: meat (9) 25 Giving it another whirl and going back home (9) 26 Take to task about the speed? (4) 27 Is put off by a day, which is silly (6) 29 Are possibly close relations, one deduces (7) 32 In the net, I wrapped the passion fruit (9) 34 Thought to be mistimed and had the date changed (9) 35 Having no food, isn’t worried; gets a cigarette out (7) 36 One of the young high-fliers (6) 37 Dish out food, say, to a nonvegetarian (4) 38 The party, with a butler flitting about, gives one definite qualms (4,5) 39 Just so (9)

DOWN

1 To compartment number one, back goes the horse (8) 2 Go not in fear (5,7) 3 Game in which some do badly all round (8) 4 Lock and leave (6) 5 The others are in the foreground with the author (8) 6 A pad for drawing? (6,4) 7 Left out “a nut I caught, from the asylum” (7) 8 The strain of motherhood (6,4) 11 Lift the black soot out (5) 16 She’s very beautiful — that’s as much as one can see (6) 19 Drive back that you spoil (3) 21 Shot taken when you’re definitely not at your best (4,2,3,3) 22 Complete with painting, rushed in (6) 23 Until now, leaving the lady, too, free to wander? (10) 24 Being dismissed when it’s becoming known publicly (7,3) 25 A gun in the fishing-boat (3) 28 Ensures that you know they’re on the house (8) 29 Restored to favour, you thought, again (8) 30 The maze of dead ends got one down (8) 31 Prompts me to turn in the skins (7) 33 From the north-east: new girl (5) 34 Very iffy? (6)