Double Crossword

Cryptic puzzle

Across

1. Hosiery item that might be blessed (6,5)

9. Love to find a vehicle in a musical instrument (7)

10. The morning before our love-affair (5)

11. Skill in finding some nick-nacks (5)

12. Having squares vetted (7)

13. Jack and Les are aristocrats (6)

15. Girl with a shirt that is a shade of red (6)

18. Western source of wealth? (7)

20. Avoid the girl of the French (5)

22. The smallest amount could be stale (5)

23. Aid must be redirected to the arena (7)

24. Compromise with a contented spiritualist (5,6)

Down

2. A bad actor has nothing to bring back from Nebraska (5)

3. Do the French run slowly? (7)

4. Subtle difference in a sister taking one to church (6)

5. Dancing characters are to speak (5)

6. One criticising something on a door (7)

7. Type of story told by males (4-3-4)

8. Hire purchase, never-never, etc. (6,5)

14. Prohibit the singer getting a neckerchief (7)

16. Bring a fish back towards the sheltered side (7)

17. Money demanded by the Romans perhaps (6)

19. Of a tennis ball found in a bed? (3,2)

21. Goodbye to the French (5)

Quick puzzle

Across

1. Method (11)

9. Pariah (7)

10. Punctuation mark (5)

11. Bow (5)

12. Particular (7)

13. Cushion (6)

15. Drum (6)

18. Poetic (7)

20. Creed (5)

22. Armistice (5)

23. Refined (7)

24. Many-sidedness (11)

Down

2. Proportion (5)

3. Instance (7)

4. Modern (6)

5. Alcove (5)

6. Lone performer (7)

7. Chance (11)

8. Easily lit (11)

14. Fate (7)

16. Number (7)

17. Mould (6)

19. Board game (5)

21. Grand (5)

Tuesday's solutions

CRYPTIC

Across: 1 Fearsome; 5 Four; 9 Part; 10 Asbestos; 11 Upper; 12 Enamour; 13 Mental balance; 18 Chaplain; 19 Mend; 20 Diehard; 21 Never; 22 Mate; 23 Dressing.

Down: 2 Example; 3 Retreat; 4 Master builder; 6 Outworn; 7 Reserve; 8 Recall; 13 Macadam; 14 Nearest; 15 Afloat; 16 Aimless; 17 Concern.

QUICK

Across: 1 Compress; 5 Bond; 9 Wisp; 10 Keenness; 11 Silly; 12 Provoke; 13 Unprecedented; 18 Slapdash; 19 Robe; 20 Reserve; 21 Board; 22 Eddy; 23 Assessor.

Down: 2 Opinion; 3 Popular; 4 Sleeplessness; 6 Open out; 7 Distend; 8 Intone; 13 Upsurge; 14 Praised; 15 Endure; 16 Nervous; 17 Embargo.