CRYPTIC CROSSWORD

ACROSS

4. Persecute reporters at work (7)

8. 10 join the services (6)

9. Half a score who are clever can be maintained (7)

10. 7 pay attention (6)

11. Some of the group landed in

hilly country (6)

12. Made a shrill sound and played first at cards (8)

18. There are no duties here and wine costs nothing (4,4) 20. Missile in which there could be news (6)

21. Mother’s gone to bed, lucky thing! (6)

22. Jemmy used to get bird to

drinking place (7)

23. It’s for all to be flowery (6) 24. Abandon out of regard for

somebody, perhaps (7)

DOWN

1. From which one could get a blow from a bull? (7)

2. Its lace is broken; stretcher needed (7)

3. Agree to idiot having 10 round (6)

5. Condemn without hearing before expert (8)

6. Sign a treaty of friendship again, indeed! (6)

7. 8 not talking (6)

13. Footballer ensures that socialists are returned (4,4) 14. 100 divided by 100, alternatively 500 are agreed (7)

15. Majestic in a countrified way? (7)

16. Nothing stuck by two pints of paper size (6)

17. Funny men are depressed

inside (6)

19. Make it possible for 9 to be

topped (6)