The Herald crosswords

ACROSS

1 Assert positively it's a strong business (6) 5 Fatal dye lad mixed up (6) 8 Ignoble party game (8) 9 Cover up the animal skin (4) 10 In Tobago, big desert (4) 11 Help to back clan given stream of abuse (8) 12 Hot job for an author? (6) 13 Crazy hat for a reckless person? (6) 15 Slough, I gush over your design philosophy! (4,4) 18 Accept bet, though not at first (4) 19 Foreign drink regularly sparkles (4) 20 Brought back gold found in desert rocks (8) 21 He's in the reorganised War Department (6) 22 Catch let loose, which stings (6)

DOWN

2 Palm off that handle elsewhere (4,2,3,4) 3 It's cool to choose a mountaineering aid (3,4) 4 Intend the German to wander aimlessly (7) 5 Greek character, daughter, unexpectedly late (5) 6 Loathe a taste of crab hors d'oeuvre (5) 7 Earnest character, an aristocrat going to Berkshire town (4,9) 13 German town, Essen, I'm developing (7) 14 Foreign editor takes little time in US motor city (7) 16 Her name Garbo makes In avoiding retakes (5) 17 Ran fast, difficult round centre of arena (5)

ACROSS

7 ___ con carne, spiced dish (6) 8 Ask (a guest) round (6) 9 Low-pitched (4) 10 Momentarily causing sight loss (8) 11 Grovelling (11) 14 Person employed to manage a residence (11) 18 Cosmetic surgery (8) 19 Fine scented powder (4) 20 Unfold, develop (6) 21 Nut used to make marzipan (6)

DOWN

1 Become happier (5,2) 2 Total failure (4) 3 Supple and flexible (6) 4 Brief swimsuit (6) 5 Proof (8) 6 Wasp's weapon (5) 12 Dishevelled and dirty (8) 13 Skirt's height (7) 15 Lone concealed rifleman (6) 16 Soldier's knapsack (3-3) 17 Soothing ointment (5) 19 Chronology (4)