Solution to 16A has been deliberately left unsolved and is to be answered only by a non-regular / novice commenter, with proper annotation. Those who have answered earlier in the week, please give others a chance.
ACROSS
1 Greeting chap about to enter jail for delivery (8) CHINAMAN {C{HI}{MAN<=}AN}
5 Intelligence of mean criminal trapping copper (6) ACUMEN {A{CU}MEN*}
9 A fellow missing from joyful occasion of summer (8) AESTIVAL {A}{fESTIVAL}
10 It could be used to fire a churchman, say (6) CANNON (~canon)
12 Senior person, exhausted after working, saving last of allowance (9) PENSIONER {SENIOR+Pe..oN}* over {a...cE} Semi&lit
13 Advance copy (5) FORGE [DD]
14 Sign over shirt and tie (4) KNIT {INK<=}{T}
16 In tears, silent, starting to sob for some time (7) M?N?T?S (Addendum - MINUTES {M{IN}UTE}{Sob} - See comments)
19 Old friend having nervous problem related to the eye (7) OPTICAL {O}{P{TIC}AL}
24 Turns around and cuts (5) SNIPS<=
25 Prepares to fight us with spear, perhaps to protect queen (7,2) SQUARES UP {US+SPEAR}* over {RE} (Addendum - {US+SPEAR}* over {QU} - See comments)
27 Vehicle accessory from Cuba thrown into empty heap (6) HUBCAP {He{CUBA*}aP}
30 Finished painting over court as ordered (8) DIRECTED DIRE{CT}ED {DI{RE}{CT}ED}
DOWN
1 Guys stealing money become winners (6) CHAMPS {CHA{M}PS}
2 Cook Annie squeezing small bananas (6) INSANE {IN{S}ANE*}
3 Excuse made by one after jumping bail (5) ALIBI {1}<=>{BAIL*}
4 Touching story (not Saki’s first), isn’t translated (7) AGAINST {sAGA}{ISNT*}
6 Bird remains on edge (9) CHAFFINCH {CHAFF}{INCH}
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8 Bull in Paris? Negative — probably Essen (8) NONSENSE {NON}{ESSEN*}
11 Victorian is nearly ready (4) PRIM PRIMe
15 Unavoidable tax cuts by end of day (9) NECESSARY {NE{CESS}AR}{daY}
17 Question from bowler, say, after poor shot, to claim wicket (4,4) HOWS THAT {HAT}<=>{HO{W}ST*} Semi&lit
21 One who was bound to survive? (7) HOUDINI [GK]
23 Unfurl new drapes (6) SPREAD*
26 Note: First woman magistrate (5) REEVE {RE}{EVE}
Reference List
Jail = CAN, Fellow = F, Shirt = T, Old = O, Queen = QU, Over RE, Money =M, Small = S, Negative in French = NON, Wicket = W, Note = RE
Kindly read my last night tale piece. Thank u.
ReplyDeleteLovely... Read emoji of Claps in the dots.
DeleteI read everything in the blog and be assured that your tale pieces with pleasure. I don’t know why you had a doubt whether I read them at all! May be because I didn’t respond.
DeletePlease keep your stories coming, Gowri, they are a pleasure to read.
Excellent.
DeleteVery creative story!
DeleteThank you Krisskross for a bright start to the day.
ReplyDelete14A- i had it as knot(drf.- tie) but could not parse. Is tie÷ knit?
Knit verb join/link
DeleteThank you.
DeleteDef.to be highlighted.
Noted that it has already been done.
DeleteSorry. It is =
ReplyDelete16 A
ReplyDeleteMINUTES = Some time
Tears = Minute
S from Sob
MINUTES is the answer
Relook
DeleteMUTE =SILENT
DeleteADD IN AND S AS PER CLUE
How?
DeleteIn MUTE insert In
DeleteStarting to Sob, S so the answer is MINUTES, = some time
IN tears MUTE so MINUTE
DeleteStarting to Sob, S
MINUTES, which the answer
+1
Delete25a typo
ReplyDeleteState of the art (Science fiction?) tale from Gowri getting the nod from Master story teller himself!!
ReplyDeleteHOUDINI bowled a CHINAMAN...
ReplyDeleteNONSENSE! HOW'S THAT possible? Are you INSANE? Did he have the NECESSARY ACUMEN?
HA HA!
Remember he was a champion of CHAMPS.
And LISTED as ambidextrous. Bowled as DIRECTED!
A short bouncer from CGB! How's that for a change? He probably made it in minutes.
DeleteGood one CGB
DeleteWe don't see pangrams from KrisKross nowadays!
ReplyDeleteTrue but interesting,nevertheless.
DeleteNo doubt about that.
DeleteYes, taking a break from pangram grids!
Delete21D HOUDINI - I had intended it to be a CD ("bound" meaning "tied up" as well us "certain") - Houdini demonstrating the magic of breaking the bonds and surviving!
ReplyDeleteNice clue as are others!
DeleteInteresting grid. HOUDINI, CICERONE, CANON, couldn't reach anno. rest all solved. esp. 20d, 9a,16a too Good. It helps for filling down quiet easier. Thanks to Krisckross for challenging puzzles.
ReplyDeletemissing Dr.RKE's tale. understood he might have busy sch.
Nice grid. I am surprised i aced KrisKros. My fav- CHINAMAN, HOUDINI, HOWSTHAT
ReplyDeleteHi Gowri, I am not able to see your excellent tailpiece in the blog - though I got a notification of the same in mail and was able to read it there??
DeleteNo idea - I read it in my notification mail and it was wonderful!
DeleteThank you.
DeleteI will ask the colonel tomorrow
DeleteMiss Marple's Romantic Esacapades.
ReplyDeleteIt broke John's heart to leave his PENSIONER aunt's house to set up a separate abode with Vanessa. As he received his farewell gifts - a bottle of TOKAY & a pair of matching hand KNIT cardigans, he realised how alone she would be hereafter.
He then came up with this bright idea. Much AGAINST her wishes, he decided to help her find a companion for her old age.
Of course, the first date was set up with Admiral Mayers, her erstwhile suitor from the past. It was to be a movie outing. Vanessa helped Ms.Marple to dress up, avoiding her usual PRIM outfits. Although Ms.Marple found the whole idea INSANE, she was ready & waiting for her ESCORT.
They went to see a rerun of an old movie The Grim Game, starring the famous magician HOUDINI. As the usher DIRECTED them to their seats, Ms. Marple realised that the theater was near empty. However Mr. Mayers was so taken in with the stunts in the movie, as the hero jumped from MINARETS & swam under water in seas, that he almost forgot about his companion. For the entire 2 hours, he didn't think it was NECESSARY to have any conversation with her. With her ACUMEN, Ms.Marple thought the movie was infantile & INSANE. She was dying to rip off the special OPTICAL glasses given to them. She couldn't wait to come home, from what to her, was the most silent date she could have imagined.
Next was a date with Mr. Galahad, the bird watcher. It was dinner this time. Mr. Galahad was talking non stop as he escorted her to the famous African restaurant, with the STEINBOK head mounted over the door. Ms. Marple was already thinking, she should have thought of a better ALIBI to escape this. When she saw the single page Menu LIST, her spirits plummeted. The meagre SPREAD brought by the waiter added to her woes, especially when she realised, the restaurant did not serve desserts. Mr. Galahad was oblivious & still talking. As she told John later, the only thing she remembered about the date was - CHAFFINCHES had been spotted in their neighbourhood.
The third date was with none other than John' s colleague Mr. Gregory, who wrote their sports column. When he declared to her, that they are going to the Lords, she half expected to see CANNONS there. It took her a while to realise, it was a cricket match, the finale of the AESTIVAL. Supposedly 2 counties were playing for the CHAMPS trophy.
As the crowd was going Ga Ga over their favourite cricketers, Gregory's friends were HA HAing at their own cricket jokes. Amidst the deafening noise, she had no clue what was happening & why somebody was SQUARING UP to bowl a CHINAMAN. Suddenly the stadium was silent & some one hissed - last ball. All at once, the bowler shouted HOWZZAT & the entire stadium erupted as, apparently, the local county had retained the trophy. Pushed around haplessly, Ms. Marple lost sight of her escort. Somehow she managed to escape, hail a cab & reach home.
Next week, when John suggested Mr. Cosby, the local CICERONE, Ms. Marple pulled herself up straight, looked John in the eye & asked him - Do you want to visits the local REEVE?
When he looked at her blankly, she said I propose to disown you as my nephew & disinherit you from my will, right this MINUTE if you don't stop this NONSENSE!!!!
Well! As John told Vanessa later, he had never seen his aunt more angry,.nor had he ever been more dumb struck.
Miss Marple's Romantic Esacapades.
ReplyDeleteIt broke John's heart to leave his PENSIONER aunt's house to set up a separate abode with Vanessa. As he received his farewell gifts - a bottle of TOKAY & a pair of matching hand KNIT cardigans, he realised how alone she would be hereafter.
He then came up with this bright idea. Much AGAINST her wishes, he decided to help her find a companion for her old age.
Of course, the first date was set up with Admiral Mayers, her erstwhile suitor from the past. It was to be a movie outing. Vanessa helped Ms.Marple to dress up, avoiding her usual PRIM outfits. Although Ms.Marple found the whole idea INSANE, she was ready & waiting for her ESCORT.
They went to see a rerun of an old movie The Grim Game, starring the famous magician HOUDINI. As the usher DIRECTED them to their seats, Ms. Marple realised that the theater was near empty. However Mr. Mayers was so taken in with the stunts in the movie, as the hero jumped from MINARETS & swam under water in seas, that he almost forgot about his companion. For the entire 2 hours, he didn't think it was NECESSARY to have any conversation with her. With her ACUMEN, Ms.Marple thought the movie was infantile & INSANE. She was dying to rip off the special OPTICAL glasses given to them. She couldn't wait to come home, from what to her, was the most silent date she could have imagined.
Next was a date with Mr. Galahad, the bird watcher. It was dinner this time. Mr. Galahad was talking non stop as he escorted her to the famous African restaurant, with the STEINBOK head mounted over the door. Ms. Marple was already thinking, she should have thought of a better ALIBI to escape this. When she saw the single page Menu LIST, her spirits plummeted. The meagre SPREAD brought by the waiter added to her woes, especially when she realised, the restaurant did not serve desserts. Mr. Galahad was oblivious & still talking. As she told John later, the only thing she remembered about the date was - CHAFFINCHES had been spotted in their neighbourhood.
The third date was with none other than John' s colleague Mr. Gregory, who wrote their sports column. When he declared to her, that they are going to the Lords, she half expected to see CANNONS there. It took her a while to realise, it was a cricket match, the finale of the AESTIVAL. Supposedly 2 counties were playing for the CHAMPS trophy.
As the crowd was going Ga Ga over their favourite cricketers, Gregory's friends were HA HAing at their own cricket jokes. Amidst the deafening noise, she had no clue what was happening & why somebody was SQUARING UP to bowl a CHINAMAN. Suddenly the stadium was silent & some one hissed - last ball. All at once, the bowler shouted HOWZZAT & the entire stadium erupted as, apparently, the local county had retained the trophy. Pushed around haplessly, Ms. Marple lost sight of her escort. Somehow she managed to escape, hail a cab & reach home.
Next week, when John suggested Mr. Cosby, the local CICERONE, Ms. Marple pulled herself up straight, looked John in the eye & asked him - Do you want to visits the local REEVE?
When he looked at her blankly, she said I propose to disown you as my nephew & disinherit you from my will, right this MINUTE if you don't stop this NONSENSE!!!!
Well! As John told Vanessa later, he had never seen his aunt more angry,.nor had he ever been more dumb struck.
Miss Marple's Romantic Esacapades.
ReplyDeleteIt broke John's heart to leave his PENSIONER aunt's house to set up a separate abode with Vanessa. As he received his farewell gifts - a bottle of TOKAY & a pair of matching hand KNIT cardigans, he realised how alone she would be hereafter.
He then came up with this bright idea. Much AGAINST her wishes, he decided to help her find a companion for her old age.
Of course, the first date was set up with Admiral Mayers, her erstwhile suitor from the past. It was to be a movie outing. Vanessa helped Ms.Marple to dress up, avoiding her usual PRIM outfits. Although Ms.Marple found the whole idea INSANE, she was ready & waiting for her ESCORT.
They went to see a rerun of an old movie The Grim Game, starring the famous magician HOUDINI. As the usher DIRECTED them to their seats, Ms. Marple realised that the theater was near empty. However Mr. Mayers was so taken in with the stunts in the movie, as the hero jumped from MINARETS & swam under water in seas, that he almost forgot about his companion. For the entire 2 hours, he didn't think it was NECESSARY to have any conversation with her. With her ACUMEN, Ms.Marple thought the movie was infantile & INSANE. She was dying to rip off the special OPTICAL glasses given to them. She couldn't wait to come home, from what to her, was the most silent date she could have imagined.
Next was a date with Mr. Galahad, the bird watcher. It was dinner this time. Mr. Galahad was talking non stop as he escorted her to the famous African restaurant, with the STEINBOK head mounted over the door. Ms. Marple was already thinking, she should have thought of a better ALIBI to escape this. When she saw the single page Menu LIST, her spirits plummeted. The meagre SPREAD brought by the waiter added to her woes, especially when she realised, the restaurant did not serve desserts. Mr. Galahad was oblivious & still talking. As she told John later, the only thing she remembered about the date was - CHAFFINCHES had been spotted in their neighbourhood.
The third date was with none other than John' s colleague Mr. Gregory, who wrote their sports column. When he declared to her, that they are going to the Lords, she half expected to see CANNONS there. It took her a while to realise, it was a cricket match, the finale of the AESTIVAL. Supposedly 2 counties were playing for the CHAMPS trophy.
As the crowd was going Ga Ga over their favourite cricketers, Gregory's friends were HA HAing at their own cricket jokes. Amidst the deafening noise, she had no clue what was happening & why somebody was SQUARING UP to bowl a CHINAMAN. Suddenly the stadium was silent & some one hissed - last ball. All at once, the bowler shouted HOWZZAT & the entire stadium erupted as, apparently, the local county had retained the trophy. Pushed around haplessly, Ms. Marple lost sight of her escort. Somehow she managed to escape, hail a cab & reach home.
Next week, when John suggested Mr. Cosby, the local CICERONE, Ms. Marple pulled herself up straight, looked John in the eye & asked him - Do you want to visit the local REEVE?
When he looked at her blankly, she said I propose to disown you as my nephew & disinherit you from my will, right this MINUTE if you don't stop this NONSENSE!!!!
Well! As John told Vanessa later, he had never seen his aunt more angry,nor had he ever been more dumb struck!!
Tailpiece from Gowri osted below:
ReplyDeleteMiss Marple's Romantic Esacapades.
It broke John's heart to leave his PENSIONER aunt's house to set up a separate abode with Vanessa. As he received his farewell gifts - a bottle of TOKAY & a pair of matching hand KNIT cardigans, he realised how alone she would be hereafter.
He then came up with this bright idea. Much AGAINST her wishes, he decided to help her find a companion for her old age.
Of course, the first date was set up with Admiral Mayers, her erstwhile suitor from the past. It was to be a movie outing. Vanessa helped Ms.Marple to dress up, avoiding her usual PRIM outfits. Although Ms.Marple found the whole idea INSANE, she was ready & waiting for her ESCORT.
They went to see a rerun of an old movie The Grim Game, starring the famous magician HOUDINI. As the usher DIRECTED them to their seats, Ms. Marple realised that the theater was near empty. However Mr. Mayers was so taken in with the stunts in the movie, as the hero jumped from MINARETS & swam under water in seas, that he almost forgot about his companion. For the entire 2 hours, he didn't think it was NECESSARY to have any conversation with her. With her ACUMEN, Ms.Marple thought the movie was infantile & INSANE. She was dying to rip off the special OPTICAL glasses given to them. She couldn't wait to come home, from what to her, was the most silent date she could have imagined.
Next was a date with Mr. Galahad, the bird watcher. It was dinner this time. Mr. Galahad was talking non stop as he escorted her to the famous African restaurant, with the STEINBOK head mounted over the door. Ms. Marple was already thinking, she should have thought of a better ALIBI to escape this. When she saw the single page Menu LIST, her spirits plummeted. The meagre SPREAD brought by the waiter added to her woes, especially when she realised, the restaurant did not serve desserts. Mr. Galahad was oblivious & still talking. As she told John later, the only thing she remembered about the date was - CHAFFINCHES had been spotted in their neighbourhood.
The third date was with none other than John' s colleague Mr. Gregory, who wrote their sports column. When he declared to her, that they are going to the Lords, she half expected to see CANNONS there. It took her a while to realise, it was a cricket match, the finale of the AESTIVAL. Supposedly 2 counties were playing for the CHAMPS trophy.
As the crowd was going Ga Ga over their favourite cricketers, Gregory's friends were HA HAing at their own cricket jokes. Amidst the deafening noise, she had no clue what was happening & why somebody was SQUARING UP to bowl a CHINAMAN. Suddenly the stadium was silent & some one hissed - last ball. All at once, the bowler shouted HOWZZAT & the entire stadium erupted as, apparently, the local county had retained the trophy. Pushed around haplessly, Ms. Marple lost sight of her escort. Somehow she managed to escape, hail a cab & reach home.
Next week, when John suggested Mr. Cosby, the local CICERONE, Ms. Marple pulled herself up straight, looked John in the eye & asked him - Do you want to visit the local REEVE?
When he looked at her blankly, she said I propose to disown you as my nephew & disinherit you from my will, right this MINUTE if you don't stop this NONSENSE!!!!
Well! As John told Vanessa later, he had never seen his aunt more angry,nor had he ever been more dumb struck!!
Whatever I posted also has vanished!
ReplyDeleteMaybe some restriction on the length of the comment?
ReplyDeleteYou can try posting it in two parts.
ReplyDeleteNot working. I mailed it to the colonel. Let us see tomorrow. Good Night.
ReplyDeleteGowri's TalePiece
ReplyDeleteMiss Marple's Romantic Esacapades.
It broke John's heart to leave his PENSIONER aunt's house to set up a separate abode with Vanessa. As he received his farewell gifts - a bottle of TOKAY & a pair of matching hand KNIT cardigans, he realised how alone she would be hereafter.
He then came up with this bright idea. Much AGAINST her wishes, he decided to help her find a companion for her old age.
Of course, the first date was set up with Admiral Mayers, her erstwhile suitor from the past. It was to be a movie outing. Vanessa helped Ms.Marple to dress up, avoiding her usual PRIM outfits. Although Ms.Marple found the whole idea INSANE, she was ready & waiting for her ESCORT.
They went to see a rerun of an old movie The Grim Game, starring the famous magician HOUDINI. As the usher DIRECTED them to their seats, Ms. Marple realised that the theater was near empty. However Mr. Mayers was so taken in with the stunts in the movie, as the hero jumped from MINARETS & swam under water in seas, that he almost forgot about his companion. For the entire 2 hours, he didn't think it was NECESSARY to have any conversation with her. With her ACUMEN, Ms.Marple thought the movie was infantile & INSANE. She was dying to rip off the special OPTICAL glasses given to them. She couldn't wait to come home, from what to her, was the most silent date she could have imagined.
Next was a date with Mr. Galahad, the bird watcher. It was dinner this time. Mr. Galahad was talking non stop as he escorted her to the famous African restaurant, with the STEINBOK head mounted over the door. Ms. Marple was already thinking, she should have thought of a better ALIBI to escape this. When she saw the single page Menu LIST, her spirits plummeted. The meagre SPREAD brought by the waiter added to her woes, especially when she realised, the restaurant did not serve desserts. Mr. Galahad was oblivious & still talking. As she told John later, the only thing she remembered about the date was - CHAFFINCHES had been spotted in their neighbourhood.
The third date was with none other than John' s colleague Mr. Gregory, who wrote their sports column. When he declared to her, that they are going to the Lords, she half expected to see CANNONS there. It took her a while to realise, it was a cricket match, the finale of the AESTIVAL. Supposedly 2 counties were playing for the CHAMPS trophy.
As the crowd was going Ga Ga over their favourite cricketers, Gregory's friends were HA HAing at their own cricket jokes. Amidst the deafening noise, she had no clue what was happening & why somebody was SQUARING UP to bowl a CHINAMAN. Suddenly the stadium was silent & some one hissed - last ball. All at once, the bowler shouted HOWZZAT & the entire stadium erupted as, apparently, the local county had retained the trophy. Pushed around haplessly, Ms. Marple lost sight of her escort. Somehow she managed to escape, hail a cab & reach home.
Next week, when John suggested Mr. Cosby, the local CICERONE, Ms. Marple pulled herself up straight, looked John in the eye & asked him - Do you want to visit the local REEVE?
When he looked at her blankly, she said I propose to disown you as my nephew & disinherit you from my will, right this MINUTE if you don't stop this NONSENSE!!!!
Well! As John told Vanessa later, he had never seen his aunt more angry, nor had he ever been more dumb struck!!!
Wish Miss Marple better luck the next time around!
ReplyDeleteShould we fix her up with you Paddy? 😆😆😆
ReplyDeleteBoth of u can discuss the need for printouts in banks.
@ Gowri
ReplyDeleteIt is NECESSARY for me to avoid being dumped in the LIST of non-readers of your post. I should have posted my reply MINUTES after your talepiece was up. But being a PENSIONER ( meaning old), my glasses supplied by the local OPTICALs do not work efficiently at night. The story is nice and you are among the CHAMPS led by the champion story teller, Dr. RKE. Don't have any grudge AGAINST me for not responding immediately. I have no one with me to type my post as DIRECTED at night. Forgive this delayed response. I hope that this SQUARES UP my side of the story.
HOW'S THAT?
Great. Really really nice.
ReplyDeleteTo tell u my side - i am employed 9-6 as an architect & cook all the 3 meals at home & have an aged mother in law at home.
ReplyDeleteMy ME time starts only at 9pm. Then i solve the Sudoku, CW & then attempt my tale piece. I just cant post any earlier
@Gowri
ReplyDeleteSorry for bluffing to you just for the sake of using the words PENSIONER and OPTICAL. I am neither old nor a pensioner. In fact I am a home maker only. But I have no time what with on-line classes of my daughter,continuous posts from the school about tonnes of homework and taking videos of the child reciting rhymes and stories for being posted in the school website. I find time only early in the morning to read the posts and reply. Thank you Gowri for wonderful tale piece.
I thought as much. 😊
DeleteBut my post is the sterling truth.
Sir
ReplyDeleteIt would be of great help if commonly used short forms are put at one place. For starters it is really difficult to know all such terms like Jo for Sweetheart and so on.
Hope I have made my point clear
Sanjeev
Patna (Bihar)
I have started collating the short forms for past 5 months or so, I can send you by email if you want it for your reference.
DeleteSudhakar - can u share with me too. My mail id - gowrih.naren@gmail.com
DeleteThank u in advance. 😊
Delete