The Brain Teaser

No. 8,565

ACROSS

3. Wage list in the cash register? (3,3,4)

8. Medico, with ill-humour, still going around (6)

9. Fore-word for gold-fish (4)

10. Coal strata, perhaps, in ships putting down defences (10)

11. Not the sort of material scientists cook up? (3)

13. It is exceptional and never overdone (4)

14. With his twin, would he make a fool of himself? (4-3)

15. Don't stand and point – find the place! (4)

17. We have to put up with a copper wanting a shave! (5)

20. The German is after aluminium or wood (5)

22. Finally allowed to be in debt (4)

24. No doubt he hears many fiddling explanations (7)

25. Merry song? (4)

27. Regiment which should know the rules (3)

28. Where a taxi fare is shown for a time! (2,3,5)

29. Deal a crippling blow (4)

30. Bird with a throat complaint (6)

31. A pet enters – in fact, goes right in (10)

DOWN

1. A tooth it swallowed – that makes you think (8)

2. Creed which displays a nice point (6)

3. For such card holdings two and a half packs are necessary, it seems! (7)

4. He's a great age but still growing! (5)

5. A doctor's name (4)

6. Fearful of a rod we've made (8)

7. That at the bottom of the well, for instance? (3-5)

12. The French father is outside, guilty perhaps? (4)

14. Soldier who isn't A.W.O.L? (4)

16. He has an alternative after four (4)

17. Bird of ill-omen for someone (8)

18. Civic tree-feller! (8)

19. Spots Dorothy with Bob but not Lamour and Hope (4)

21. Cries out after river activity (8)

23. Points form of credits (7)

25. Gaoler's abundance (6)

26. Strong drink! (5)

28. The poet of Cromarty (4)