DOUBLE CROSSWORD
CRYPTIC CLUES: Across
3. Day that eventually follows Easter Rising (9) 8. Conception that falls short of being perfect (4) 9. Italian statesman who takes the biscuit? (9) 10. Tricky description of popular melody (6) 11. Isn't upset about a bad mark (5) 14. What the widow assumes to be unwanted plants (5) 15. End of work can offer delightful attractions, initially (4) 16. Attempts to convert into goals (5) 18. See 23 Down 20. European means of verification, we hear (5) 21. To cause irritation, disturb a nap (5) 24. Vessel located in fixed angular measurement (6) 25. The game is a thing of little importance (9) 26. You'll find the man about in this place (4) 27. It's very disturbed after presentday misfortune (9)
Down
1. One may be employed to do this bit by bit (5-4) 2. Is it designed to go through the middle piece? (6-3) 4. Speak about western influence (4) 5. To be in a vortex is terrifying (5) 6. Still a reason for getting poor reception (6) 7. They regulate the chances for the better (4) 9. Spirit shown by leader of Greek army (5) 11. Net used by French watermen (5) 12. Observe the lawsuits in which money reposes (4-5) 13. Did he present a crazy threat to Alice? (3,6) 17. Almost cover up the fallen debris (5) 19. Foreign representative using the French entrance (6) 22. Checks the flower-holders (5) 23 & 18Ac. Corncrake to alight on the
fence (8) 24. Look in the street for a narrow
opening (4)
QUICK CLUES: Across
3. Fragrance (9) 8. Castle (4) 9. Monetary (9) 10. Container (6) 11. Laconic (5) 14. Propel (5) 15. Stimulus (4) 16. Muffler (5) 18. Intelligence (4) 20. Correct (5) 21. Meaning (5) 24. Flowing (6) 25. Poor (9) 26. Den (4) 27. Impotent (9)
Down
1. Foreseeing (9) 2. Aware (9) 4. Wicked (4) 5. Declaim (5) 6. Surplus (6) 7. Tea (4) 9. Galas (5) 11. Commerce (5) 12. Fleeting (9) 13. Preying (9) 17. Experiences (5) 19. Safe (6) 22. Silent (5) 23. Nought (4) 24. Bother (4)