Cryptic puzzle Across 1. Work place for the party out of office (10) 7. They turn their hand to various ruses (5) 8. One setting fire to the vessel (7) 10. Proceed to make a display (3,5) 11. A call that may be on hand (4) 13. Fugitive tout (6) 15. Without any company, the man is disheartened and sombre-faced (6) 17. The moment for a mark of approval (4) 18. Some rags produced from very fine threads (8) 21. Corresponds with what strikers use (7) 22. Drop down (5) 23. Principal pieces of masonry in the churchyard (10) Down 1. Finished by the end of August and open to the public (5) 2. Ignore commemoration of event in Exodus (8) 3. Reveals the secret of an acrobatic feat (6) 4. Closely follows classical quotations (4) 5. Briefly explain where the touch-judge may be seen (7) 6. One bed under another (10) 9. Being eager, enter frenziedly to provide fresh power (10) 12. One who’s saddled with a sore throat, we hear! (8) 14. Noose that’s collared! (7) 16. Stays when an escort goes astray (6) 19. Roughly handles a slum redevelopment (5) 20. Saint giving name to church in the Christian era (4) Quick puzzle Across 1. Learner (10) 7. Doorkeeper (5) 8. Alight (7) 10. Tendency (8) 11. Noose (4) 13. Demand (6) 15. Prickly plant (6) 17. Irritation (4) 18. Exultant (8) 21. Shone (7) 22. Candle (5) 23. Over-excited (10) Down 1. Pale (5) 2. Buy (8) 3. Finale (6) 4. Trial (4) 5. Cigar (7) 6. Unexpected (10) 9. Storehouse (10) 12. Cruel (8) 14. Confidentiality (7) 16. Helm (6) 19. Dismay (5) 20. Exclude (4) Wednesday’s solutions CRYPTIC Across: 6 Florist; 7 Midas; 9 Opt; 10 Bilingual; 12 Quarterback; 15 Convenience; 17 Retrieves; 19 Cat; 21 Stash; 22 Crusade. Down: 1 Slips; 2 Urn; 3 Asti; 4 Piggyback; 5 Valance; 8 Misere; 11 Pulverise; 13 Rennet; 14 Rosetta; 16 Wards; 18 Earl; 20 Ask. QUICK Across: 6 Cripple; 7 Donor; 9 Top; 10 Deformity; 12 Selfishness; 15 Personality; 17 Masculine; 19 Dry; 21 Musty; 22 Perfect. Down: 1 Crook; 2 Spy; 3 Blue; 4 Community; 5 Contest; 8 Consul; 11 Persecute; 13 Fondle; 14 Devalue; 16 Truce; 18 Need; 20 Off.
