Double Crossword

7. Saltpetre is awfully inert (5)

8. Write back with a melody from ‘The Planets’ (7)

9. Innocent and genuine somehow (7)

10. Stare out and see a flower (5)

12. No lad’s sure a write-up is defamatory (10)

15. Fuel used in that race somehow (10)

18. He picks winners (5)

19. Man involved in treason (7)

21. Whist drive held at the United Nations at this time (7)

22. As in a way to become different continental (5)

Down

1. Totally defeat Ian in the L.A. games (10)

2. Theatre gates open (5)

3. Christmas returns to a Mexican city (4)

4. Detain a fashionable bird (6)

5. It’s obvious to a quiet mother or father (8)

6. There’s a lot on offer here (7)

11. Truants are out at the eating-place (10)

13. Generosity is capital, say (8)

14. Turn silent and go out for a tool (7)

16. You can get chips here (6)

17. The saint’s awful blemish (5)

20. Tidy and waterless (4)

Quick puzzle

Across

7. Fat (5)

8. Dry (7)

9. Practical (7)

10. Lament (5)

12. Temperamental (10)

15. Make hostile (10)

18. Curt (5)

19. Courageous (7)

21. Side view (7)

22. Romeo (5)

Down

1. Knowledgeable (10)

2. Tired (5)

3. Bill of fare (4)

4. Pilfered (6)

5. Benevolence (8)

6. Attribute (7)

11. Simple (10)

13. Clean (8)

14. Fame (7)

16. Lump of gold (6)

17. Slice (5)

20. Lounge (4)

Tuesday’s solutions

CRYPTIC - Across: 1 Battle-axe; 8 Ova; 9 Chamberlain; 11 Charles; 12 Stole; 13 Lahore; 15 Edison; 17 Story; 18 Dickens; 20 Ill-tempered; 22 Ass; 23 Yesterday.

Down: 2 Ash; 3 Libel; 4 Arrest; 5 Elapsed; 6 Connoisseur; 7 Sauternes; 10 Anachronism; 11 Celestial; 14 Royalty; 16 Adders; 19 Copse; 21 Era.

QUICK - Across: 1 Objective; 8 Run; 9 Drive insane; 11 Decoder; 12 Prior; 13 Piracy; 15 Negate; 17 Reign; 18 Appoint; 20 Unemotional; 22 Rod; 23 Tasteless.

Down: 2 Bar; 3 Creed; 4 Ignore; 5 Example; 6 Trepidation; 7 Underwent; 10 Incertitude; 11 Departure; 14 Content; 16 Famous; 19 Price; 21 Ass.