The Brain Teaser

No. 8,678

1. At a push, it will do instead of a button (5,8)

8. Forgot to put me and Dot straight about it (7)

It's not hard to get the nine renovated let out (7)

11. Brings into play, once the rest get disorganised (6)

13. So came upon one myself one day (8)

15. Put your money on “The Spanish Nut” (5)

16. Constitutes danger-point for the bomb (7)

18. Do spread the lace on, to cover it up (7)

19. About a quarter will be cut to grind (5)

21. Announce that I have brewed mint tea (8)

23. Sign in before I take Margaret back (6)

25. Fish – getting none enmeshed – in a river in France (7)

26. The leaves show there could be a wild stag about (3-4)

28. Epitaph for Alexander? (7,6) 9.

ACROSS

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27.

DOWN

Point the tear out in the dress (7)

Ready for collection (3)

The craze the Eskimos started does die out (4)

Poisoning the fish given to the girl (10) Before going round, standing in for him (5) She has a post-afternoon job (7)

When too heavily laden, being imperious (11)

Summer temperature of an era (3,8)

See to be held by a coloured nail (5)

How much less expensive it is than super mahogany? (1,5,4)

Contend that within a year guests will come (5)

Providing he does his job (7)

Liven up the woman and her husband (7) Getting mum in a terrible state of frenzy (5) Part of plant in spring (4)

Since Sunday, clot! (3)

SOLUTION TO PUZZLE No. 8677:

ACROSS: 1 Marshalsea; 6 Hugo; 10 Dialler; 11 Peasant; 12 Mail order; 13 Estop; 14 Sleep; 15 Yardstick; 17 Customers; 20 Ellen; 21 Corgi; 23 Ineptness; 25 Opulent; 26 Stalled; 27 Hied; 28 Tennis shoe.

DOWN: 1 Madam; 2 Readiness; 3 Hollow promises; 4 Luridly; 5 Emperor; 7 Unapt; 8 Outspoken; 9 Bare essentials; 14 Sackcloth; 16 Ill health; 18 Epistle; 19 Stetson; 22 Rouge; 24 Sedge.