CRYPTIC CROSSWORD No. 16,926

ACROSS: 1 Outrank. 5 Ambush. 9 Torpedo. 10 Thought. 11 Bow. 12 Smorgasbord. 13 Renal. 14 Adamantly. 16 Maharajah. 17 Geese. 19 Retroactive. 22 Owe. 23 Kuwaiti. 24 Upswing. 26 Sleeve. 27 Earache. DOWN: 1 October. 2 Throw in the towel. 3 Axe. 4 Kyoto. 5 Autograph. 6 Boots. 7 Sign of the zodiac. 8 Stodgy. 12 Solar. 14 Adjective. 15 Angle. 16 Markka. 18 Epergne. 20 Oxide. 21 Inure. 25 Sir.