GENERAL CROSSWORD

▶ Across 1. Double-reed instrument (4) 4. Strong rhythmic W Indian music (6) 8. Foot-iron (7)

9. Small brooks (5)

10. Secret language (4)

11. Drove backwards (8)

13. An epergne, an ornament for the middle (11)

17. Extremely drowsy (8) 19. Ballerina's short skirt (4) 21. Sporting fixture (5)

22. Wailing Irish spirit (7)

23. The start of life's journey (6) 24. Wait one's time (4) ▶ Down 2. Marked with streaks (7) 3. Weird (4)

4. Should be blamed (13) 5. Waxy white flower (8) 6. Book of maps (5) 7. Stage whisper (5) 8. Body of dissenters (4) 12. Sewed (8) 14. Squashed, crumpled (7) 15. A rascal (5) 16. Unsullied (4) 18. Engine (5)

20. Catch on a lock (4)