CRYPTIC CROSSWORD

ACROSS

1 All measured out like a good road (8)

5 Part of a tree used as a bow (4)

9 None of it is good, it’s said (4) 10 A sign that the commanding officer’s in prison perhaps (8) 11 Not qualified to speak (5) 12 Frank article written by G.B. Shaw (7)

13 Just one of twenty-four today (9,4)

18 Basically, it’s intended to make one’s pile last longer (8) 19 A slight mark on the music? (4)

20 Chided a debater, perhaps (7)

21 Tried to get well? (5)

22 Bird to perform repeatedly (4)

23 He doesn’t like to strike (8)

DOWN

2 His choice will get cross! (7) 3 Results of questionable actions? (7)

4 I cleaned a copy – it could be a valuable book (13)

6 One gets four or six in the test, but it’s unimportant (7) 7 Permission to give the fellow an appointment (7)

8 Smoothed out on board, perhaps (6)

13 Beaten by one particular suit? (7)

14 Arranged, but not voluntarily (7)

15 Elf makes random trips over the East (6)

16 Stop knitting and prepare for sea (4,3)

17 Theirs is an exacting business (7)