CRYPTIC CROSSWORD

ACROSS

7. Arriving at present in this place, but not in the first three (6,7) 8. Used reference books, as astronomers did (6,2) 9. The prospect is that we will be back by six (4) 10. One who takes ship, we hear, for the frontier (6) 12. It’s most certain the others will follow us back (6) 14. An island conifer, by the sound of it (6) 16. Set seed in a row, but don’t assert any proprietary right (6) 18. See 17 Down 20. Moulting will lead to ruin (8) 22. Usual start to a fine piece of correspondence (7,6)

DOWN

1. The student of this subject will be an expert in time (8) 2. Chosen to be harvested (6) 3. Young people aren’t in marriage difficulties (4) 4. Made a score with untroubled mind (8) 5. Feel the cold? Winter in France near the south! (6) 6 & 21Dn. The ability to choose to release the legacy (4,4) 11. Rule said to change description of what’s left (8) 13. Was life’s usual order disturbed by these insects? (8) 15. What to do with broken rapier (6) 17 & 18Ac. Certainly not a danger light used in mines (6,4) 19. The first man to make the woman lose her head (4) 21. See 6 Down