CRYPTIC CROSSWORD

ACROSS

9 Like a schoolmaster on holiday - not at his best (3,2,4) 10 With blurred vision, it is not very understandable (4,2,3)

12 Lap up wallop (4)

13 Made an effort, but the best end got overcooked (6)

14 Justify one’s desire to get hold of an expensive car (7)

15 Not whom you wish to escort and not when (5,4)

17 Writes in red “Is possibly a vending machine” (9)

18 Tell to check the numbers (7)

19 When eleven was sounded, seemed tired (6)

20 Only fifty-one (4)

23 Loud and just awful (9)

25 Exhausted, it is clear, by the bumpy ride (9)

26 Buttonhole the girl (4)

27 Slide over and quickly get into (4,2)

29 Witnesses the seizure and considers it right to (4,3)

32 What silly butchers do at their conference? (4,5)

34 It’s ice on the peak, you fool! (9)

35 Reveals unintentionally that one does tailoring alterations (4,3)

36 Would show the niece to be possibly about five (6)

37 Cracked back “Will flabbergast you” (4)

38 It ensures that the pan won’t get burnt (9)

39 Won’t have it the lad is slow, anyhow (9)

DOWN

1 He’s not the first to be an adherent (8)

2 They don’t represent a lot of money to a restaurateur! (5,2,5)

3 Put right in to touch, shrink from (8)

4 Lay it on with “I am to act as model” (6)

5 Will it bleat if you don’t take it for a walk? (8)

6 It means a mass shouting (5,5)

7 Was the first time and one took a good look round it (7)

8 Be first, perhaps, to last the person you can most rely on (4,6)

11 Doesn’t go off to get the props (5)

16 Having no French polish! (6)

19 Note that starts off the dawn chorus (3)

21 Now that I think about it, no! (2,10)

22 Don’t go for a decent run! (6)

23 To start with be embarrassed by the early enthusiasm (5,5)

24 How the camper with the evil designs came to grief? (4,6)

25 Have a quarter on hold (3)

28 Gives one about ten, all crumpled, to iron (8)

29 What was paid for the leopard? (4,4)

30 Order it up when you have a meal on the ship (8)

31 It’s bearing your weight so do not shake it (5,2)

33 People no longer speak it, but Upman can (5)

34 Complains about a number of the shades (6)