CRYPTIC CROSSWORD No. 16,573

ACROSS: 6 High Commission. 9 Prayer. 10 Mal de mer. 11 Needless. 13 Cut off. 15 Docket. 17 Enmesh. 19 Scarab. 20 Acid test. 22 Seraglio. 24 Decade. 26 Escape velocity.

DOWN: 1 Charles Dickens. 2 Ugly. 3 Scarce. 4 Billycan. 5 Isle. 7 Mimosa. 8 One of these days. 12 Decor. 14 Theft. 16 Embolden. 18 Parole. 21 Indoor. 23 Ajax. 25 Chip.