Cryptic puzzle
Across
1. Ulster is disturbed in consequence (6)
4. Splits remaining in the Civil Service (6)
9. Private trials, maybe (6-7)
10. Provide new gear as compensation (7)
11. The French money regularly used by Caesar (5)
12 & 14 Across. Assistant pitman is one who makes the tunnels (10)
14. See 12 Across
18. Mabel changes to a leisurely pace (5)
19. Afternoon meal served on the flight? (4,3)
21. Is it judged by experts on figures? (6,7)
22. Jockeys on contract (6)
23. He is in charge of ecclesiastical tolls (6)
Down
1. Make a note of a fine achievement (6)
2. An acoustic device for discovering the opinion of the directors! (8-5)
3. Put a match to high explosive – moving with alacrity! (5)
5. German temptress producing a different role by the French one (7)
6. What the girl who wishes to be a blonde hopes to receive? (4,9)
7. Such a protracted time to say goodbye (2-4)
8. Be quiet about mother's financial failure (5)
13. One who throws out a safety seat (7)
15. He attends to the top-dressing (6)
16. To outrage the feelings with a mass of untidy hair (5)
17. Nothing removed from the drawing box (6)
20. Green species in variety (5)
Quick puzzle
Across
1. Uncertainties (6)
4. Ticklish (6)
9. Bubbling (13)
10. Criticism (7)
11. Efficacious (5)
12. Embrace (5)
14. Sediment (5)
18. Rub out (5)
19. Propitiate (7)
21. Dull (13)
22. Aviation (6)
23. Border (6)
Down
1. Soak (6)
2. Strangeness (13)
3. Laconic (5)
5. Get back (7)
6. Fire (13)
7. Submits (6)
8. Trivial (5)
13. Dulcify (7)
15. Snub (6)
16. Bear (5)
17. Association (6)
20. Puzzle (5)
Wednesday's solutions
CRYPTIC
Across: 1 Face the issue; 7 Panic; 8 Asset; 9 Cue; 10 Base metal; 11 Pastry; 12 Breach; 15 Lag behind; 17 Eel; 18 Spain; 19 Tacit; 21 Wedding-dress.
Down: 1 French-polish; 2 Tan; 3 Encash; 4 Stammered; 5 Upset; 6 Stall-holders; 7 Press; 10 Burgeoned; 13 Agent; 14 Piston; 16 Grate; 20 Cod.
QUICK
Across: 1 Disintegrate; 7 Set up; 8 Taint; 9 Orb; 10 Unshackle; 11 Speech; 12 String; 15 Laminated; 17 Ash; 18 Tense; 19 Orate; 21 Transgressor.
Down: 1 Disconsolate; 2 Net; 3 Expose; 4 Retracted; 5 Thick; 6 Strengthener; 7 Sable; 10 Unconcern; 13 Image; 14 Strong; 16 Minor; 20 Axe.
The full article contains 428 words and appears in Edinburgh Evening News newspaper.
