Cryptic crossword - The Scotsman 04/10/13

ACROSS

8 Is this comic opera performed on apron stage? (8)

9 Wonder at a form of transport making one dog-tired (6)

10 Rushed round when Edward passed away (6)

11 May dread reversal of beginning and end in fantasy (8)

12 Guard neglecting a withdrawal from heroin, for example (4)

13 Supremely powerful old man takes some whisky with books around 10 o’clock (10)

15 Ordinary seaman is a hunter of fish hawks (7)

17 Assume control with self-satisfaction over empty estates (7)

20 Use face-cream to let the tears come, we hear (10)

22 The French detective’s joined the boys (4)

24 Bear’s pal made up stories (8)

26 Rise at performance of barbed irony (6)

27 Knocked off balance, ashen, upset about first kill (6)

28 Retoning make-up with 80 per cent of air (8)

DOWN

1 More considerate German children (6)

2 Scholar to stay on and swing the lead (8)

3 That’s healthy — well done! (4,3,3)

4 and 5 Female star who confuses roles on the dance floor? (7,4)

6 Disclose Cretans’ hidden mystery (6)

7 Commissioned explosion near Dido (8)

14 It’s bloodymindedness replacing Uni in the long run with games, right? (10)

16 Scots ham wrecks guts (8)

18 Preparation needed to find the answer (8)

19 and 25 Apeman unable to secure internet connection? (7,4)

21 Stops working in trousers (6)

23 Make gloomy refuge in lair (6)

25 See 19

Thursday’s solution

Across: 1 Root-and-branch, 10 Lodge, 11 Stockpile, 12 Throstles, 13 Write, 14 Ensures, 16 Massive, 18 Secures, 20 Supremo, 21 Icing, 23 Harmonium, 25 Extremely, 26 Talon, 27 Inconsiderate.

Down: 2 Older, 3 Treasurer, 4 Nestles, 5 Blossom, 6 Askew, 7 Criticise, 8 Blatherskites, 9 Redevelopment, 15 Sacristan, 17 Supporter, 19 Schleps, 20 Strayed, 22 Greco, 24 Inlet.

• A previous version of this crossword, published both in print and online, was missing a clue, 18 down. This has now been rectified