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Puzzle #7--December 2001 "A Visit from Saint Nick"

Instructions: Guess the words defined by the cryptic clues (words vary in length from three to eight letters), then enter them in the grid one after another in the same order as their clues, starting in the upper left corner. Across words that don't end at the right margin continue on the next line below. Down words that don't end at the bottom margin continue in the next column to the right. Twelve across words and eleven down words won't fit in the grid unless one of their letters is removed. Those twenty-three letters, taken in order, spell four names related to the title of this puzzle. In addition, four unclued mystery words are also related to the title of the puzzle. Answers, aside from mystery words, include three proper names. If you are having trouble printing these puzzles, you can download an Adobe Acrobat version of the puzzle and grid. [Want to see some hints?]

Across

  1. Mystery word
  2. Obstruct herd in rampage
  3. Get in boat unmoored
  4. Having held by crown in glory
  5. Bark with nothing in stem
  6. One in charge of article in trough
  7. Approve sign on back
  8. Said to conceal a London Park
  9. Put pressure on small lock
  10. Foretellers of sound gains
  11. Start big grass strain
  12. Copied from tape deck
  13. Count, replacing king in speeches, applies powder
  14. Masquerading as ten buttocks
  15. Protozoan having eyelashes
  16. Turn to ward off infected one
  17. Examiner of bed canopy
  18. Private office for taking pictures
  19. Time between stone and iron alloy
  20. Cosmetic that costs more in Mexico
  21. Handle victory in look
  22. Appearance of cap set rakishly
  23. Mystery word

Down

  1. Mystery word
  2. Rush headlong into life's work
  3. Express disapproval in matter at end of train
  4. Bad weather attack
  5. Mother has small ace
  6. Indian philosopher
  7. Levelers put him in ship
  8. Bicycle ring about dead
  9. Tree place in Colorado
  10. High/low grade charge with gas
  11. Mark city in GA about right
  12. Schopenhauer's expectation
  13. Jaunty harbor in Australia
  14. How to seesaw upside down
  15. The ones here in lithe sets
  16. City leader talking wildly of desire
  17. Delaware tube to take off
  18. Twice around endless line for little pancakes
  19. Smaller around radius, but fairer
  20. Gee! Sex is picked apart in analysis
  21. Laos beleaguered as well
  22. Five ardent dances in green
  23. Mystery word

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