Crossword no. 306

Across 1 Urgent extraction (8) 5 Assail a little dog following work north (6) 9 A knotty sort of emotion (4, 4) 10 Lucky strikes part of nautical security (6)

12 The queen of Charing Cross (7) 13 Frolicking, a bit of a Latin leads the start of table-tennis (7)

14 This way of working could be a result of mad- ness! (12)

17 The classic publican (3-9)

22 This action is a bit near the bone (7)

23 Ponder one German for a yellow flower (7)

24 Change late before Royal Society changes (6) 25 Is one necessarily a come-down from him? (8) 26 Gin den gets the finishing touch (6) 27 Stale, I do become cut off (8) Down

1 Pitcher thrower (6) 2 'While the one . . ., must the other pursue'

(Browning) (6) •

3 The rest of Hamlet's speech (7)

4 Always moreover, in spite of itself (5-3-4) 6 Mice get a head, that's controversial (7) 7 A bit of luck on the pitch in place of Sussex (8) 8 Floral consolations for the maid attacked by a blackbird? (8)

11 Uncomfortable situations; so let it be in fore- casts (12)

15 Effect of a printing dispute? (8) - 16 Urged to do the Roman king (8)

18 Conquer by excessive speed on the track? (7)

19 Derrick is here with instructions for smooth- running (3-4) 20 The Six (6) 21 Ruined, re-built; it's hardened (6) Solution next week

Solution to Crossword no. 1305. Across: 1 Loch Ness 5 Shares 9 Yearling 10 Bridge 12 Forum 13 Needs must 14 Step- daughter 18 Major Barbara 21 Cochineal 23 Brawn 24 Boodle 25 Stalling 26 Elstow 27 Ordinary. Down: 1 Lay off 2 Chairs 3 Nilometer 4 Sun and planet 6 Harps 7 'Redoubts 8 Sweaters 11 Perambulator 15 Garibaldi 16 Amicable 17 Ejectors 19 Patina 20 Snugly 22 Igloo.