Double Crossword

Cryptic puzzle

Across

1. A new era can be difficult to understand (6)

4. The mood of "The Last Emperor" (6)

9. The old nag, it ran an awful race (5,8)

10. New Orleans is an Italian port (7)

11. Light material? (5)

12. It's not a liability when established (5)

14. A secret store of sound money (5)

18. Vehicle picking up a quiet vagrant (5)

19. A looser form of spray (7)

21. House laws went haywire here (3,5,5)

22. Give what a fellow consumed (6)

23. Has faith in cartels (6)

Down

1. Month of dignity (6)

2. Rachel is drawn, strangely, to a naturalist (7,6)

3. Drain out at the lowest point (5)

5. Getting awfully irate about sappers being in Africa (7)

6. A girl makes a noise with musical instruments (5,8)

7. Change one's mind concerning a period of self-denial (6)

8. Rebuilt a Roman house (5)

13. Take advantage of an heroic deed (7)

15. Doesn't get terribly drunk (6)

16. Verrucas from upturned fodder (5)

17. Holds power in the group (6)

20. Quarrelsome sportsman (5)

Quick puzzle

Across

1. Beat (6)

4. Signal fire (6)

9. 50th anniversary (6,7)

10. Believing in God (7)

11. Sea-air (5)

12. Nervous (5)

14. Defy (5)

18. Cord (5)

19. Knead (7)

21. Articulation (13)

22. Slice (6)

23. Beast (6)

Down

1. Temple (6)

2. Many (13)

3. Choose (5)

5. Involve (7)

6. Idiom (13)

7. Required (6)

8. Oust (5)

13. Suppose (7)

15. Coma (6)

16. Slap (5)

17. Dog-house (6)

20. Fish-eggs (5)

Friday's solutions

CRYPTIC

Across: 7 House-breaking; 8 Reporter; 9 Tips; 10 Arrest; 12 Onrush; 14 Remark; 16 Tiring; 18 Flat; 20 Absolute; 22 Fair condition.

Down: 1 Come true; 2 Ashore; 3 Abet; 4 Rearmost; 5 Skater; 6 Snip; 11 Take a bow; 13 Sanction; 15 Astern; 17 Relate; 19 Load; 21 Side.

QUICK

Across: 7 Concentration; 8 Reliable; 9 Open; 10 Temper; 12 Obtuse; 14 Attain; 16 Enrobe; 18 Fret; 20 Gigantic; 22 By word of mouth.

Down: 1 Movement; 2 Scrimp; 3 Snub; 4 Gruesome; 5 Utmost; 6 Love; 11 Renegade; 13 Sobriety; 15 Action; 17 Random; 19 Rays; 21 Gift.