Double Crossword

CRYPTIC PUZZLE

ACROSS

1. Bird showin’ shortage of breath (6)

4. Mother to enquire for figured material (6)

9. Thought to be a certain amount of money (13)

10. He votes for Prussian VIP (7)

11. To be of some use as a mark of nunship, we hear (5)

12 And 14 Across. An occasion for domestic conviviality (5-5)

14. See 12 Across

18. Could be a seat on board (2,3)

19. Anxiety about the label showing freight charge (7)

21. A few words from a merciful judge? (5,8)

22. One under the sergeant’s orders shows bitterness, we hear (6)

23. Describing the stars featured in the broadcast rallies (6)

DOWN

1. Got ready for the holiday – no seats to spare? (6)

2. It’s derisively pointed (6,2,5)

3. I had to get one to turn up - he’s a fool (5)

5. Montgomery provides it with capital (7)

6. Beastly instructor (6,7)

7. Taking lyrical part in a regal manner (6)

8. Has a close look at the aristocracy (5)

13. Washington location where poor taste is shown by the French (7)

15. Was incorrectly spelt in the lady’s cable (6)

16. It’s used by the joiner in making the propeller (5)

17. Show a leaver in distress (6)

20. Tries to reform ecclesiastical practices (5)

QUICK PUZZLE

ACROSS

1. Rumour (6)

4. Annul (6)

9. Boundary (13)

10. Go before (7)

11. Female relative (5)

12. Expert (5)

14. Object (5)

18. Wealth (5)

19. Beguile (7)

21. Loquacity (13)

22. Flung (6)

23. Remained (6)

DOWN

1. Formula (6)

2. Upright (13)

3. Provoke (5)

5. Dispose (7)

6. In turn (13)

7. Ogled (6)

8. Tender (5)

13. Preamble (7)

15. Grasp (6)

16. Let in (5)

17. Felt (6)

20. Fraud (5)

WEDNESDAY’S SOLUTIONS

CRYPTIC - Across: 1 Argue the toss; 7 Steak; 8 Garbo; 9 Mar; 10 Stratagem; 11 Rub out; 12 Pop-gun; 15 Catchpole; 17 Era; 18 Norma; 19 Liana; 21 Restlessness.

Down: 1 All-embracing; 2 Ere; 3 Hikers; 4 Tight-rope; 5 Sprag; 6 Commentaries; 7 Scrub; 10 South-east; 13 Greta; 14 Collie; 16 Terse; 20 Ass.

QUICK - Across: 1 Subservience; 7 Enter; 8 Caper; 9 Sin; 10 Cheerless; 11 Avidly; 12 Linger; 15 Tradesman; 17 Asp; 18 Owing; 19 Aisle; 21 Interruption.

Down: 1 Satisfaction; 2 Eft; 3 Vortex; 4 Excursion; 5 Copse; 6 Proscription; 7 Ennui; 10 Colleague; 13 Grave; 14 Impair; 16 Alien; 20 Sap.