Double Crossword

Choice of cryptic or quick puzzle, and (just in case you’ve been wracking your brains) yesterday’s solutions.

Cryptic puzzle

Across

1. Very frightened by the corpse! (6,5)

9. It’s crazy to put wire at the back of this (3)

10. The kind of way for making tracks (9)

11. Strange game of cards (5)

13. When father returns with cultured pearl, this is put on (7)

14. Northern shaft difficult to squeeze through (6)

16. A successful one will produce the happy medium (6)

18. Various letters providing support for the board (7)

19. See 21 Across

20. The fruit that follows the sea-food (4-5)

21 And 19 Across. Fixed part for elaborately prepared structure (3,5)

22. Wires pretty well sorted out for office equipment (11)

Down

2. Retiring from the company by the end of July (3)

3. Provide some recompense about wages (5)

4. Almost adoring different mode of church music (6)

5. Disunited parties make weary progress (7)

6. Unlimited scope for hen food (4-5)

7. Not much warning for brief commercial (5,6)

8. Absent from no function in any case (2,3,6)

12. He fights to earn a living (9)

15. Go more quickly but not in step (7)

17. When it comes from the pot, it’s hot (6)

19. A feature of simple attire (5)

21. In class I respectfully address the teacher (3)

Quick puzzle

Across

1. Objects of infatuation (5-6)

9. Elderly (3)

10. Be indecisive (9)

11. Carrying-chair (5)

13. Springy (7)

14. Invent (6)

16. Suffocate (6)

18. Exact copy (7)

19. Invoices (5)

20. Roget’s book (9)

21. Neckwear item (3)

22. Arguments for and against (4,3,4)

Down

2. Conclude (3)

3. Black bird (5)

4. Heart, commonly (6)

5. Dependent (7)

6. Very good-looking (9)

7. Thoughtful (9)

8. Favoured pupil (8,3)

12. Vanish (9)

15. Stringed instruments (7)

17. Colony of rabbits (6)

19. Elementary (5)

21. Unit of weight (3)

Wednesday’s solutions

CRYPTIC - Across: 1 Iran; 3 Niceties; 9 Take off; 10 Poker; 11 Rediscovered; 13 Stands; 15 Ostler; 17 Parade ground; 20 Thyme; 21 Thistle; 22 Pressing; 23 Beat.

Down: 1 Interest; 2 Asked; 4 Inflow; 5 Express train; 6 Inkwell; 7 Sort; 8 Horse dealers; 12 Gradient; 14 Analyse; 16 Beaten; 18 Untie; 19 Stop.

QUICK - Across: 1 Apse; 3 Scabbard; 9 Flavour; 10 Regal; 11 Unfavourable; 13 Nestle; 15 Scarce; 17 Consummation; 20 Cycle; 21 Agitate; 22 Dilatory; 23 Mess.

Down: 1 Affluent; 2 Staff; 4 Circus; 5 Bureaucratic; 6 Angular; 7 Dull; 8 Convalescent; 12 Meanness; 14 Stoical; 16 Impair; 18 Irate; 19 Acid.