CRYPTIC QUICK

British Minister could have given me hoary secret to spread about (4,9)

8. How I palm a token, having a passion for stealing things (11)

12. Treat one to stories, for example, when in real trouble (6)

14. A tell-tale might give hints of carbon content (6)

16. The language of the numerals (6)

18. Tap, sputter, and go inside (6)

19. Again thinks about team being in

Y Q Y YK

23. ‘I’ll have the strudel, please.’ That’s neat! (5-3,5)

Down

1. Turn key on boat-raising enclosure (4)

2. It is just Mother, to a Frenchman (4)

3. % K Q Q X^Q ^Q Q& Y Z ground (6)

4. Cards turned up in a very helpful way (6)

5. What are bolted up will stupefy one (4)

6. %Y Y Q X YQ Q& X Y !

9. Sledge includes a joke about travellers’ bags (7)

10. Greet, in confusion, a whole number (7)

11. A photograph of being wounded (4)

12. Twenty quires used to create a bigger bore (4)

Across

1. Flavour (5)

4. Pattern made of stones or glass (6)

8. Resolute (7)

9. Drive back (5)

10. Purpose, crusade (5)

11. Cherubic (7)

12. Forcible contact (6)

14. " ^Y

17. Secrete milk (7)

19. Prance (5)

21. Sweeping cut (5)

22. Foot operated lever (7)

23. Seller (6)

24. Conditions (5)

Down 1.

13. Nubile islander may give [ Y Y

15. Quickly go and pinch it (3)

17. Is able to copy something served with drinks (6)

18. Drink being laced, it was rejected by the editor (6)

19. It is right to take pie out when it’s ready for eating (4)

Administer a sedative (12)

2. Graduated measure (5)

3. Stretchy (7)

4. In common (6)

5. Gesture of

Y #

6. Sudden urge (7)

7. Capitals (5,7)

13. Parcel (7)

15. Budding (7)

16. Medieval clown (6)

18. Garden pest (5)

20. Detection instrument (5)

20. There is an absence of wind in medical matters (4)

21. A noble who is almost ahead of his time (4)

22. How to arrange tournament draw for one’s

KXY !