Double Crossword

Cryptic puzzle

Across

1. Reserve to assign to a particular party (3,2,3,4)

7. Collection of fast ships? (5)

8. Many take Shakespearean king to be pure (5)

9. Flighty tune? (3)

10. Gets bigger when folded (9)

11. Landed property in oriental country (6)

12. The conclusion may appear to be somewhat delicate (6)

15. Realise it could be a Jew (9)

17. Devotee cools off? (3)

18. This monster was a Hardy type (5)

19. He is paid to play what is called (5)

21. Great concern for sharp return on investment (4,8)

Down

1. Battle for the ordinary soldier only? (7,5)

2. Someone evidently was born thus (3)

3. Observe that the water isn’t frozen (6)

4. Cite verse about being needlessly reserved (9)

5. Sediment for example that doctors hold (5)

6. What the newspapers are given to squeeze worker on strike (5,4-3)

7. Original tree on the street (5)

10. For the most part contained by the sea (2,3,4)

13. Gather it could be finer (5)

14. No quiet pin-up from Japan (6)

16. Some horrid, generally long crest (5)

20. Crusty type in confusion? (3)

Quick puzzle

Across

1. Insensitive to criticism (5-7)

7. Had a meal (5)

8. Rebuke (5)

9. Auction item (3)

10. Gypsum (9)

11. Prosper (6)

12. Norseman (6)

15. Practical method (9)

17. Rocky hill (3)

18. South American animal (5)

19. Ire (5)

21. Fast-food item (12)

Down

1. Gossip (6-6)

2. Knowledge (3)

3. Abduct (6)

4. Fruit (9)

5. Proclamation (5)

6. Cooling device (12)

7. Put off (5)

10. Benefit (9)

13. Bury (5)

14. Four-sided figure (6)

16. Prang (5)

20. Wildebeest (3)

Wednesday’s solutions

CRYPTIC

Across: 4 Scratch; 8 Agenda; 9 Brother; 10 Caster; 11 Inmate; 12 Unfasten; 18 Bell-push; 20 Malice; 21 Drafts; 22 Balloon; 23 Hearse; 24 Virtues.

Down: 1 Rancour; 2 Lets off; 3 Idlers; 5 Cardinal; 6 Autumn; 7 Cheats; 13 Tuberose; 14 Gunfire; 15 Chasten; 16 Salami; 17 Fillet; 19 Larder.

QUICK

Across: 4 Scuffle; 8 Bounty; 9 Account; 10 Entrap; 11 Apiece; 12 Covenant; 18 Glorious; 20 Banner; 21 Tassel; 22 Cleaver; 23 Joyous; 24 Swollen.

Down: 1 Absence; 2 Furtive; 3 Strain; 5 Cockatoo; 6 Florid; 7 Lunacy; 13 Aggrieve; 14 Monsoon; 15 Useless; 16 Fallow; 17 Entail; 19 Reason.