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 23rd Feb 2012, 12:05 BST

Cryptic puzzle

Across

1. The Spanish graduate located in the Mediterranean (4)

3. Narrow channels used for sea-trips (8)

8. A sign of sorrow - it’s the rent (4)

9. When meal is cooked, he needs to keep to the right course (8)

11. Being a subscriber in the insurance business? (12)

13. Not going straight to telephone after some hesitation (6)

14. Remove everything from the gear-box! (6)

17. All airmen try to replace the gunner (9-3)

20. Special serviceman gets order and nothing more (8)

21. Long-handled weapon for fish (4)

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22. Senior nurse round at home - that’s decidedly inauspicious (8)

23. Pot plant (4)

Down

1. Showed keenness - then differently employed (8)

2. One who goes on the ship as a guest (7)

4. A wild horse on the beach (6)

5. As bribes they remove bitterness (10)

6. The brat playin’ the tables (5)

7. Lay in the grass on ground-sheets (4)

10. Guiding maxims, we hear, for headmasters (10)

12. As superficial as beauty, we’re told (4-4)

15. More air required for storage cupboard (7)

16. Solemnly promise to drink a toast (6)

18. European capitalist managed to hold the doctor up (5)

19. Experts in providing fine services (4)

Quick puzzle

Across

1. Team (4)

3. Palpable (8)

8. Seethe (4)

9. Chariot (8)

11. Incontrovertible (12)

13. Essay (6)

14. Scattered (6)

17. Surrender (12)

20. Legible (8)

21. Cab (4)

22. Inn (8)

23. Assassin (4)

Down

1. Temperance (8)

2. Diminish (7)

4. Counting device (6)

5. Huge (10)

6. Skirmish (5)

7. Pitcher (4)

10. Absorb (10)

12. Eternal (8)

15. Inscription (7)

16. Manservant (6)

18. Accumulate (5)

19. Roguish (4)

Wednesday’s solutions

CRYPTIC

Across: 1 Summer-house; 9 Incised; 10 Silts; 11 Larva; 12 Nastier; 13 Ordeal; 15 Lichen; 18 Tartare; 20 Salem; 22 Robot; 23 Meddler; 24 Secretaries.

Down: 2 Ulcer; 3 Mascara; 4 Riding; 5 Oasis; 6 Selfish; 7 Billposters; 8 Astronomers; 14 Durable; 16 Insider; 17 Pelmet; 19 Astir; 21 Lille.

QUICK

Across: 1 Opportunity; 9 Diabolo; 10 Baron; 11 Set-to; 12 Precise; 13 Notion; 15 Mishap; 18 Eyesore; 20 Kedge; 22 Delve; 23 Orifice; 24 Estate agent.

Down: 2 Plait; 3 Oloroso; 4 Troupe; 5 Noble; 6 Tarnish; 7 Odds and ends; 8 Interpreter; 14 Trellis; 16 Inkling; 17 Remote; 19 Opera; 21 Deign.