The Brain Teaser

No. 8,564

ACROSS

1. The untidiness one's complaining of? (8) 5. Those kind fellows in the builder's yard? (6) 9. What you paid for the place? (4,4) 10. He won't let you flag! (6) 12. What brought the army man to the doctor in a stew? (6) 13. Control the water balance, to start with (8) 15. How big the flag is? (8,4) 18. Where you learned to plane? (7,5) 23. Knew it was true, outside (8) 24. It's funny how its ear wiggles (6) 26. Not all like the retiring governor (6) 27. Loaded with news (8) 28. Get down! (6) 29. Tremble from stage fright (4,4)

DOWN

1. Drop the very French name on return (6)

2. When I left, the pigeons were hopping about for cake (6)

3. Tell you about Dracula? (7)

4. Because being in the heart of Greece does facilitate it (4)

6. Didn't remain unbothered by the wild-cat in the grass? (7)

7. The girl in the taxi is a dope (8)

8. By the way, the forest officer is new to the area (8)

11. The saltier mixture sells (7)

14. Laugh when the drink's upset by the man standing up (7)

16. Flowers for the cafe? (3,5)

17. Left for dead (8)

19. A mite worried about it, do the same (7)

20. Believe to be a bird (7)

21. Tell off about it, but not much (6)

22. Less profitable for one who's not upright (6)

25. Set in motion and drive (4)

SOLUTION TO PUZZLE No. 8563:

ACROSS: 1 Direct hit; 6 Staff; 9 Infer; 10 Trade fair; 11 Grave words; 12 Deny; 14 Denotes; 15 Elfreda; 17 Made out; 19 Fuss-pot; 20 Lard; 22 Repeatedly; 25 Night work; 26 Irene; 27 Set on; 28 Freighted.

DOWN: 1 Doing; 2 Refrained; 3 Correction; 4 Hot dogs; 5 Twaddle; 6 Seen; 7 Aware; 8 For my part; 13 Offsetting; 14 Dumplings; 16 Expedient; 18 Tees off; 19 Freckle; 21 Right; 23 Yield; 24 Eton.