Double Crossword

Cryptic puzzle

Across

1. Presumably not an ailment of tropical climes (4)

3. Crude to a teacher (8)

8. One only conceals a form of lighting (4)

9. Got back into Parliament (8)

11. Bad narrative from inferior member of family (4,8)

13. Sailor gets a severe telling off (6)

14. More coarse-sounding shopkeeper (6)

17. Unequalled performance from a jailbird? (6,6)

20. Arrange prim seat for prelates (8)

21. Metal from La Paz in current use (4)

22. Is deeper and faster (8)

23. Old and greyer every day initially (4)

Down

1. Plot to get 100 to top of high part of church (8)

2. Beware of the sentry (4-3)

4. Lives where there are 500 sources of water (6)

5. Legal compulsion to be a suitor? (5,5)

6. Dance to remove the effects of sunbathing? (5)

7. Dupes are taken for such a journey (4)

10. Where spectators witness tremendous resistance? (10)

12. Manufactured to a greater extent? (8)

15. Boasting 100 at the oars (7)

16. Where to be an essential part? (6)

18. Lift up, but don’t quite commend (5)

19. Work involved in preparing soup (4)

Quick puzzle

Across

1. Agreement (4)

3. Humidity (8)

8. Genuine (4)

9. Creature of prey (8)

11. Disconcerting (12)

13. Rigorous (6)

14. Suitable (6)

17. Slander (4-8)

20. Prolonged (8)

21. Labyrinth (4)

22. Beset (8)

23. Minus (4)

Down

1. Wilful (8)

2. Room (7)

4. Aviator (6)

5. Walker (10)

6. Consumed (5)

7. Certain (4)

10. Aggressiveness (10)

12. Advance (8)

15. Confidential (7)

16. Orb (6)

18. Elects (5)

19. Medicinal plant (4)

Wednesday’s solutions

CRYPTIC

Across: 1 Stage-fright; 9 Present; 10 Guide; 11 Rites; 12 Outpost; 13 Abrade; 15 Grilse; 18 Fairway; 20 Flute; 22 Roses; 23 Overact; 24 Necessities.

Down: 2 Treat; 3 Guessed; 4 Fathom; 5 Ingot; 6 Hair-oil; 7 Spartan fare; 8 Settlements; 14 Reissue; 16 Reflect; 17 Pylons; 19 Waste; 21 Usage.

QUICK

Across: 1 Overweening; 9 Erratic; 10 Demon; 11 Theme; 12 Slender; 13 Idiots; 15 Placed; 18 Transom; 20 Appal; 22 Voice; 23 Nearest; 24 Intersperse.

Down: 2 Verge; 3 Retreat; 4 Excuse; 5 Nudge; 6 Nomadic; 7 Restrictive; 8 Incredulity; 14 Iranian; 16 Leakage; 17 Amends; 19 Sieve; 21 Press.