TWO-WAY TEASER

TWO sets of clues but the answers are the same...

CRYPTIC CLUES

ACROSS

1 Lucky mascot called Tom? (5,3)

5 Being impoverished is no good (4)

8 With which to clean up opera? (4)

9 My denial, possibly, of being girlish (8)

10 Deprive oneself of cover (7)

12 Is such a girl not a real woman? (5)

13 Garments, a strange sight to a troop leader (6)

15 Mini-favourite, perhaps, flat on the floor (6)

17 One foolish enough to be trapped? (5)

18 On board, perhaps, they’re called rooks (7)

22 They work, at last, producing various things afoot (8)

23 Face a girl and a boy (4)

24 Appear to interview James Bond’s boss (4)

25 Paths that will serve for a long time (8)

DOWN

1 It may be a cracker! (7)

2 A drawback for Oscar, for instance! (5)

3 Stays awhile with a dissolute scamp (5)

4 Slight hint, possibly (4)

6 Confessed to having possessed more? (5,2)

7 Boys in blue (5)

11 The bookkeeper’s door? (5)

12 All you need to give me half an answer (5)

14 At parting, it’s nice to get extra (7)

16 Struggles to find a rhyme for “muscles” (7) 17 Old-fashioned dandies in a county (5)

19 Only fatheads would take a vessel in a wild sea! (5)

20 Being deceptive about resting (5)

21 Stay in the castle

stronghold (4)

QUICK CLUES

ACROSS

1 Very dark feline (5,3)

5 Penniless (4)

8 Washing aid (4)

9 Girlish (8)

10 Strip (7)

12 Ideal (5)

13 Close-fitting garments (6)

15 Floor covering (6)

17 Silly fellow (5)

18 Strongholds (7)

22 Shoemakers (8)

23 Face (4)

24 Appear (4)

25 Corridors (8)

DOWN

1 Pale brown colour (7)

2 Trophy (5)

3 Temporary quarters (5)

4 Very lean (4)

6 Confessed (5,2)

7 Regal (5)

11 Gateway (5)

12 Intends (5)

14 Farewell (7)

16 Fights (7)

17 Male animals (5)

19 Donkeys (5)

20 Reposing (5)

21 Stay (4)