CRYPTIC CROSSWORD

FOR your chance to win, solve the crossword to reveal the word reading down the shaded boxes. HOW TO ENTER: Call 0901 293 6233 and leave today’s answer and your details, or TEXT 65700 with the word CRYPTIC, your answer and your name. Texts and calls cost £1 plus standard network charges. Or enter by post by sending completed crossword to Daily Mail Prize Crossword 16,196, PO Box 28, Colchester, Essex CO2 8GF. Please include your name and address. One weekly winner chosen from all correct daily entries received between 00.01 Monday and 23.59 Friday. Postal entries must be datestamped no later than the following day to qualify. Calls/texts must be received by 23.59; answers change at 00.01. UK residents aged 18+, exc NI. Terms apply, see Page 78.

ACROSS

1 My son returns, miserable but compassionate (11) 9 What stops one auditor or two seizing power? (7) 10 Judge about to release engaging European (7) 11 Wool supplier comes and goes (3) 12 A few creating nuisance (7) 13 Plant 10 briefly interrupting work (7) 14 Some smuggle in money for Romanians (3) 15 A hundred and four in charge of town (5) 17 Secure fellows in Aachen (5) 18 Important Muslim woman, say, impressed by tramp (5) 20 Harry loves to clear up (5) 22 Eccentric old theologian (3) 24 S American state locks student radical in cooler (7) 25 Discarded metal that is a problem for sheep (7) 26 Second person tucked into carry-out (3) 27 Traveller’s devout and stern crossing lake (7) 28 Thrifty area in season (7) 29 Commuter maybe buys one to study trees hotel axed (5,6)

DOWN

1 Lover is thinking about person who’s withdrawn (9,6) 2 Film ace deviously causing harm (7) 3 Exchange letters involving backer (5) 4 Unorthodox writer is in the clear after surgery (9) 5 Welsh river swallowed up fine stuff (7) 6 Impact of burning fuel that’s left by miner walking home? (6,9) 7 All the snakes may be deadly (6) 8 Bent over backwards dealing with cable (6) 16 Envy smart educated parish representative (9) 18 On phone, purchase mushrooms as source of strength (6) 19 Woman drinks a lot primarily for fever (7) 21 Set aside weapon in eastern vessel (7) 23 Lower bed giving medic advantage (6) 25 Organise shiatsu, but not at local course? (5)

NEED A CLUE? Text TIP to 65700 to receive FOUR answers to today’s crossword, or call 0901 293 6236. Texts and calls cost £1 plus standard network charges. Today’s clues available between 00.01 today and 23.30 only.