CRYPTIC

ACROSS

1 Bird sets ring on fire? (8)

5 He lives by his wits taking top people back (4)

9 Grounds south of the sheltered side (4)

10 100 too old for area taken in by radio station (8) 11 Concerning the rights and wrongs of idealism or alchemy (5)

12 It takes a brave girl to administer drug to egghead! (7)

13 Local taxes that hold the investors’ attention? (8,5) 18 Equal conditions for all in moderate drama (4,4)

19 Use abusive language when fibber gets back (4) 20 Went to bed, being weary again (7)

21 Five have shivering fit that defies definition (5) 22 Chances of strife? (4) 23 Imperfectly in two equal stages (2,6)

DOWN

2 Become prostrate: told untruths on own! (3,4) 3 Mother’s wise to have physiotherapy (7)

4 An aid to the wife in successful home management (4,9)

6 Key man? (7)

7 Presumably they have opinions on what they see (7) 8 Does he put things on that tire people out? (6)

13 Deduce there isn’t a terrible fire (7)

14 Ted’s wit is not straight! (7) 15 Common talk of explosion? (6)

16 Post in flying? (7)

17 Pie cooked to restore health to gourmet? (7)