Solving time: 13 minutes
A straightforward start to the week from one of the masters of the cryptic definition. Nothing too troublesome,
although a tiny grumble for the purists might be he use of “a” in 12 across.
ACROSS (* = aNAGRAM, CD = Cryptic definition R = Reversal)
8 QUARTERS Double definition
9 NARROW N (Pointed) + ARROW (Weapon)
10 APEX APE = Primate X = sign of a vote
11 CORNFLAKES CLEAN FORKS*
12 BERBER Half a number = BER – Doubled
14 CRACKERS Double definition
15 SATISFY STAYS IF*
17 ADDISON IS AN ODD*
20 WHEATEAR A WEATHER* (Wheatear featured in the Indy puzzle as well)
22 HEELED EEL in HE’D
23 DOTTED LINE CD
24 NAIF AN (R) + IF (The Kipling poem)
25 MOUNTS Double def
26 SCANTIES SCAN + TIES _ Hadn’t thought of this as a noun.
DOWN
1 SUBPOENA BEAN SOUP* Nice surface reading
2 CRUX RU (game) in C X (Roman numerals)
3 FENCER Cryptic def – one who uses a foil – Not over-keen on this clue.
4 OSTRICH O + ST (way) + RICH
5 UNAFRAID IN A FRAUD*
6 BREAD KNIFE A BEEF DRINK*
7 POSEUR Cryptic def
13 BRIGANTINE TRAIN BEING* Nice surface
16 FIENDISH FINISHED*
18 ONE SIDED Cryptic def/double def
19 TRAIPSE PARTIES*
21 HOODOO HOOD (Robin) + O O (Two ducks in cricket)
22 HYENAS YEN inside HAS
24 NOTE Double def