DOUBLE CROSSWORD

Cryptic Clues:

Across

4 & 22Ac. They produce vegetables for red-faced athletes (7,7)

8 & 11Ac. No drone would qualify for this simile! (2,4,2,1,3)

9. Crooked dealing straightened out (7)

10. One could make light of this box (6)

11. See 8 Across

12. Kind of paper associated with numskulls! (8)

18. Be coercive and bring the police into operation (3,5)

20. Ceremonial trial rearranged about the middle of January (6)

21. This controls the current changeover (6)

22. See 4 Across

23. Stealthily take one’s leave of French settlement (6)

24. In glad or in gloomy loving (7)

Down

1. Growler makes mother set in the joints (7)

2. Leave an orchestra occupying the stage (7)

3. See 16 Down

5. Fall caused by slip at the end of the mountain pass (8)

6. The chap at the students’ fete appearing as a scrap merchant (6)

7. One and one (6)

13. Just the vessel for a witch’s brew (8)

14. This will cut timber from the far west (4,3)

15. Unusual phrase about the beginning of the Prologue, maybe (7)

16 & 3Dn. Could the contents of the wine cellar be so described? (6,6)

17. The lathe operator is an artist (6)

19. Flora’s associate, we hear, is a sycophant (6)

Quick Clues:

Across

4. Poise (7)

8. Deep-set (6)

9. Insult (7)

10. To moderate (6)

11. Unequalled (6)

12. Finish (8)

18. In rags (8)

20. Zodiac sign (6)

21. Maiden (6)

22. Hearty (7)

23. Oppose (6)

24. Encourage (7)

Down

1. Defend (7)

2. Anguish (7)

3. Disclose (6)

5. Wealthy (8)

6. Alarmed (6)

7. Agree (6)

13. Last (8)

14. Dull (7)

15. Flatter (7)

16. Reduce in rank (6)

17. Slag (6)

19. Journey (6)

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