Double Crossword

Choice of cryptic or quick puzzle, and (just in case you've been wracking your brains) yesterday's solutions.
By The Newsroom
Published 21st Dec 2010, 08:33 BST
Updated 21st Dec 2010, 08:43 BST

Cryptic puzzle

Across

1. Freedom from penalty, but I'm small-minded about it (8)

5. They give account indications for a pharmacist (4)

9. Not liable to fade quickly (4)

10. The French returning with irregular forces in the open air (8)

11. Game bird to show signs of fear (5)

12. Using excessive force to disperse oil in the air-shaft (7)

13. Naked ladies conforming to forewoman's fad! (6,7)

18. Corsican card game (8)

19. Keen opera star to make a come-back (4)

20. Tranquillisers I swallowed during operations (7)

21. To put in the peg used by climbers (5)

22. Ostrich to nurture, we hear (4)

23. A short way to encourage caviar producer (8)

Down

2. Discover the length of stately dance (7)

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3. Freed about the middle of March and not brought before the court (7)

4. See its violent adaptation as an entertainment medium (10,3)

6. He kneads to use arms in a different way! (7)

7. Contract from Marrakesh or Tenerife (7)

8. Withdraw from an arrangement and sob in the wings (3,3)

13. A measure of the worker's time (3-4)

14. Provide one with information of a trophy, one hears (7)

15. Diminutive hooters (6)

16. Alight as a tailless bird (7)

17. The Womble flower found in Venezuela (7)

Quick puzzle

Across

1. Victor (8)

5. Dull (4)

9. Couple (4)

10. Stance (8)

11. Chancel (5)

12. Imprecise (7)

13. Necessary (13)

18. Compassion (8)

19. Stick (4)

20. Share (7)

21. Tag (5)

22. Obligation (4)

23. Rite (8)

Down

2. Pagan (7)

3. Drink (7)

4. Faint hope (7,6)

6. Fruit (7)

7. Respire (7)

8. Arm muscle (6)

13. Tasteless (7)

14. Fault (7)

15. Still (6)

16. Hail (7)

17. Lamp (7)

Monday's solutions

CRYPTIC

Across: 1 Kidnapping; 7 Rails; 8 Trained; 10 Fastness; 11 News; 13 Relate; 15 Borneo; 17 Etch; 18 Deceiver; 21 Tonsure; 22 Owing; 23 Reluctance.

Down: 1 Knits; 2 Disunity; 3 Attest; 4 Play; 5 Nankeen; 6 Preferment; 9 Discourage; 12 Note down; 14 License; 16 Reject; 19 Voice; 20 Guru.

QUICK

Across: 1 Sustaining; 7 Overt; 8 Motored; 10 Fortress; 11 Pass; 13 Remote; 15 Gazebo; 17 Each; 18 Backward; 21 Trouble; 22 Ocean; 23 Resentment.

Down: 1 Sheer; 2 Saturate; 3 Almost; 4 Note; 5 Narrate; 6 Conferment; 9 Despondent; 12 Backbone; 14 Microbe; 16 Talent; 19 Avert; 20 Able.