LAST WEEK’S SOLUTION

ACROSS: 1 Stumbling-block, 9 Optical, 10 Renewed, 11 Engine-room, 12 Dive, 14 Untame, 15 Eloquent, 17 Open-eyed, 19 Papaya, 22 Trey, 23 Razor blade, 25 Rattail, 26 Twinned, 27 Freedom fighter.

DOWN: 1 Spoke out of turn, 2 Uptight, 3 Back number, 4 Idlers, 5 Gargoyle,6 Lynx, 7 Cowhide, 8 Advent calendar 13, Squabbling, 16 Seraglio, 18 Ejector, 20 Against, 21 Sort of, 24 Cage.