BARE BONES

A COLLINS ENGLISH DICTIONARY AND THESAURUS SET, AND A BRADFORD’S CROSSWORD SOLVER’S DICTIONARY

WIN

Our Bare Bones Crossword is unique because you have to complete the grid – numbers and squares – as well. We have inserted four black squares and four clue numbers to get you going. The crossword has a four-way symmetry: both top and bottom and left and right match, so you can fill in 12 more squares straight away. There is a prize of a Collins English Dictionary and Thesaurus set, and a Bradford’s Crossword Solver’s Dictionary. Send your solution to: Bare Bones Puzzle No 1072, The Mail on Sunday, PO Box 3451, Norwich NR7 7NR. Entries must arrive by Friday, November 4 (photocopies not accepted). The winner’s name will be published on November 20 from the first correct entry drawn.

Winner of Bare Bones No 1069: Mr John Hurst, of Sidmouth, Devon.

Across

1 Employed American journalist

4 Heathen deity accepts silver

7 Choose a hand tool

9 Reasonable form of entertainment

10 Gambling on removing top layer of sugar

11 Posted perfume, not first class

12 Bishop arranged diets and accommodation

13 Trial forced to accept union ceremony

14 Mounted – like a snake?

18 Second fish produces an awful smell

20 Egg producer doesn’t start to change

21 TV detective’s code

22 Old object is on the way out

23 Rush out of dispute, arguing

24 Specialised in turning revolutionary

25 Sound disapproving about loud bunch

Down

2 Betting three notes on an implement

3 Sportsman who takes flight? (Two words)

4 Picture putting last of cider in beer

5 Serious, English style of music

6 Country reign in disarray

7 Go by the trial and succeed (Three words)

8 Dance can go wrong

15 Pursue affair with husband

16 Show Nigerian leader has spirit

17 Cyril’s lost for words

18 The riddle of the kitchen

19 He has a face of rock