CRYPTIC CROSSWORD

ACROSS 1 Back street in which one needs

to inquire for jobs (5) 4 Love in romance novel

somewhere in Africa (8) 8 A most unfair condition (8) 9 After bad act I become silent (8) 11 Large number coming in drunk

in coma, wandering around (7) 13 Top design created by husband bearing pen used by the French (9) 15 Perpetual figure that causes

matrimonial disputes (7,8) 18 Reference book shows Zodiac

sign he’s within (9) 21 President returning note that’s instrumental in showing boastfulness (7) 22 Continentals involved in fracas

(8) 24 Doctor is initially eager to give

discourse (8) 25 Once more judged and freed

from blame (8) 26 Birds in wilderness (5)

DOWN 1 What people call us in explosive competition (10) 2 Siberian place of punishment could produce ailments (4,4) 3 Dons went wild — expelled from the university (4,4) 4 Model given a part on stage (4) 5 Provides some point with jokes (6) 6 Busy tenant (6) 7 Either way, it’s high time (4) 10 He provides all his workers with a home (8) 12 Issue needing to be raised (8) 14 Seer who may be called to account? (10) 16 Correct bill going to cleric (8) 17 Stick with revised point showing common sense (8) 19 Got paid employment, with organ study set up (6) 20 Build up a hundred to go on new cure (6) 22 A long way off from the safari centre (4) 23 Pore over books endlessly as boss (4)