CRYPTIC CROSSWORD
ACROSS
1 Simple, like an empty gallery? (7) 5 Young woman nicks engineer’s last tool (6) 9 Section of Listener that may have a jewel in it (7) 10 Racket interrupts exam first, for example (7) 11 Show respect for old weapon (3) 12 Order version of composition (11) 13 Shell invested in silicon chips (5) 14 Shortened sentence on the subject of expedition (9) 16 Indian prince’s mother briefly has a drink back at hotel (9) 17 Clean ascent across rear of Snowdon (5) 19 Woman worked with Hitler, the butt of many jokes (6-2-3) 22 Many years are recalled (3) 23 Bird of prey comes in to settle in the Broads, say (7) 24 Artist on the fiddle reduced pasta (7) 26 Overcoat’s amazing lustre (6) 27 Six deliveries at Lord’s expected to be late (7)
DOWN
1 Lab mice infuriated old distiller there? (7) 2 Admit defeat — include free gift with homeware deal? (5,2,3,5) 3 I try putting energy first (3) 4 Libel Mark (5) 5 Director Allen for one limits northern rate for spirit (4,5) 6 Bear loses right to invest (5) 7 Once fed novice on sloppy ready meals (11,4) 8 Some diners avoid this suet regularly in valley (6) 12 Group of Arab horses can’t stand (5) 14 Response to do with diamonds carpenter sent round (9) 15 Pale yellow fruit Dame Mary’s thrown out (5) 16 It’s hard to catch this equine carrying doctor (6) 18 Slippery foursome in English vessel (7) 20 Put on current in top medical department? (5) 21 Leftold ship at a sedate rate (5) 25 Briefly watch contest (3)
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 16,616, 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 date-stamped 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 62.