Cryptic crossword - The Scotsman 09/10/13

ACROSS

1 Definite sign of increase (8)

5 Distant gambling game played very loudly (3-3)

9 Commission coming from enclosure before time (8)

10 Manservant however opened larder with word of hesitation (6)

11 Having an oily feeling that’s unpleasantly flattering (8)

13 Getting out of jail, he, ancient prophet (6)

14 Mat fifty per cent uneven (3)

16 One in France is performing in harmony (6)

19 Fault-finding whilst fishing? (7)

20 Strong lady runner (6)

21 River flowing through pastureland (3)

26 Disfigure from French side of cliff (6)

27 Bible perhaps? (8)

28 Destined to have change of mood with Edward (6)

29 One entering city left in advance of competition (8)

30 More like it? (6)

31 Incidentally hitch-hiker might be found here (2,3,3)

DOWN

1 Father, one of shooting-party, has child’s toy (6)

2 Watergate clue is to be solved (6)

3 Monotony coming from journalist, first person in corporation (6)

4 Six approaching Chaldean city go in force (6)

6 One in the capacity of breather for diving apparatus (8)

7 Almost not Jon, lusty eccentric (4,4)

8 Front drive (8)

12 Back to drink alcohol (7)

15 Vehicle in front (3)

16 A multilingual lady (3)

17 Like batsman ready to go in counted quietly first (6,2)

18 Elf vocal about immature amorous attachment (4-4)

19 It is hard to walk on (8)

22 Lyre ie returned in a strangely frightening way (6)

23 Some of the worst itching causes pain (6)

24 Go after dog (6)

25 Thin hotel, in the heavens! (6)

Tuesday’s solution

Across: 1 Plotline, 5 Status, 9 Seem sure, 10 Mystic, 12 Adroit, 13 Trade, 16 Evadne, 17 Buddleia, 20 Bulletin, 21 Dog-ear, 23 Scoot, 25 Reebok, 28 Untied, 29 Royalist, 30 Tir ing, 31 Restrung.

Down: 1 and 2 Pass over, 3 Last dance, 4 Narrow, 6 Tryst, 7 Tetrameter, 8 Secretaire, 11 Stout, 14 Seabiscuit, 15 Hall porter, 18 Deodorant, 19 Fiord, 22 Decode, 24 The gn, 26 Lieu, 27 Stag.