Double crossword

Today’s grid
By The Newsroom
Published 31st Jan 2013, 12:00 BST

Cryptic puzzle

Across

1. Mature reflection of French freedom (12)

7. Delved deeply into the intellect, we hear (5)

8. To make a net profit, it’s obvious (5)

9. Act as manager for the period of a play (3)

10. Presumably they’re taken by chiropody students! (9)

11. What people do after inspiration? (6)

12. Strike a balance (6)

15. Workman to carry on business about four (9)

17. This will constrict the tailless pig (3)

18. It’s just not port (5)

19. Duck down! (5)

21. Presumably they wouldn’t put people under open arrest! (6,6)

Down

1. Where an unsatisfactory match may end (7,5)

2. Proscribe nearly all the musical performers (3)

3. The rod could be made this (3-3)

4. Art of manipulating bad cheque with counterfeit tin (9)

5. Nothing on the green is open to the public (5)

6. What those who scrutinise ballot papers do? (5-7)

7. May, for example, be found in a film on theology (5)

10. He gets shot while taking part (4,5)

13. Bream changing colour (5)

14. Strip off and change the colour of a singlet, one hears (6)

16. Bird decapitates the dog (5)

20. Part of the arduous strain expressed by two (3)

Quick puzzle

Across

1. Writer (3,2,7)

7. Spectacle (5)

8. Flavour (5)

9. The self (3)

10. Original model (9)

11. Take up (6)

12. Gaming house (6)

15. Forge (9)

17. Total (3)

18. Fetter (5)

19. Taut (5)

21. Festivities (12)

Down

1. Prosaic (6-2-4)

2. Mist (3)

3. Lure (6)

4. Book part (5,4)

5. Hazardous (5)

6. Events (12)

7. Self-controlled (5)

10. Apparatus (9)

13. Insertion (5)

14. Beat (6)

16. Trumpet (5)

20. Obtain (3)

Wednesday’s solutions

CRYPTIC

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Across: 4 Trading; 8 Quaker; 9 Psychic; 10 Easier; 11 Landed; 12 Regulate; 18 Rosemary; 20 Remits; 21 Stoker; 22 Earmark; 23 Finnan; 24 Dewlaps.

Down: 1 Equerry; 2 Massage; 3 Reveal; 5 Restless; 6 Decant; 7 Nailed; 13 Airstrip; 14 Backing; 15 Hydrant; 16 Menage; 17 Dismal; 19 Entail.

QUICK

Across: 4 Special; 8 Corner; 9 Cluster; 10 Outset; 11 Malady; 12 Necklace; 18 Allocate; 20 Errand; 21 Mascot; 22 Sublime; 23 Loosen; 24 Retract.

Down: 1 Account; 2 Protect; 3 Reveal; 5 Pell-mell; 6 Castle; 7 Agenda; 13 Academic; 14 Carcase; 15 Destiny; 16 Arouse; 17 Taller; 19 Orator.