CRYPTIC CROSSWORD

Across

1. On the Wilton one is hauled over the coals (6)

8. Copper taking the air returning to the papal court (5)

9. It raises a conductor's standing, or must be put right (7)

11. A game like baseball almost rose under revision (8)

12. In October, thief may be given a job at sea (5)

15. Without others singing one may hear some basso loudly (4)

16. It may be an awkward situation, so mend it (3)

17. A quiet period, with half-luck, will be halved (4)

19. The form has changed for physical education (5)

21. A red cent in exchange for an elegant vessel (8)

24. In a trifling way practised in bed, bald as may be (7)

25. At start of ‘flu always have a high temperature (5)

26. Small animal from Kent, it might be (6)

Down

2. Is senior to the Naval rating who will wander, headless (5)

3. Request lowly worker to hold it up twice (8)

4. Round trip turned out right (4) 5. Drop this griddle-cake (5) 6. Properly so-called, it's dead in tune (4) 7. Fish looks to have a deep voice (4)

10. Humiliated by diet, I'm for changing it (9)

12. A striking attempt at a party (4) 13. Help a bat out with the A-Z (8) 14. It sounds as if it rushed up the smokestack (4)

18. Kind about new explosive sound (5) 20. Put this bit together to make sense of it (5)

21. It's a poor shot at plum pudding (4) 22. Hasn't enough insurance for a customer (4)

23. Men standing side by side and smelling offensive (4)