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Puzzle #32 - January 2004 "Retrospective"

Instructions: Guess the words defined by the cryptic clues (words vary in length from three to eight letters and include four proper names), 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. Five across words and five down words won't fit in the grid unless one of their letters is omitted. Those ten letters, taken in order, spell a phrase related to the three mystery entries, which in turn are related to a word that appears nowhere in the puzzle. What is that word? As ever, I am grateful to Kevin Wald for help with the clues. (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 entry
  2. Battle with sea in Le Havre getting hotter
  3. Pound; demolish; raze
  4. Of skin in older males
  5. Attempt to hold a salver
  6. Weapon hidden in tree by those who serve spirits
  7. Pierce fabric with tip of needle
  8. Twists less erratically catching up
  9. Furniture from bride's kitchen
  10. Opening pace announced
  11. Micro invaders lacking right stones
  12. Before meals begin, eat card
  13. Mystery entry
  14. Policeman with slingshot gets ape
  15. Speak of grains, one after another
  16. Love embraces rook for protection
  17. Meryl is Peter's undoing
  18. Unlimited bagel time
  19. Cue giver's advocate keeps quiet after losing ring
  20. Long speech without one in exchange
  21. One mate catching ultimately all the fish
  22. Ponders wretchedly about ending all in grandeur
  23. Mystery entry

Down

  1. Upset by exploding grenade
  2. Badly need car to carry zebra's head and sideboard
  3. Collision of vehicle with river
  4. Losing head out of anger after writer reveals destitution
  5. Lassitude produced by cooking sprout
  6. Moving abroad, the French become charming
  7. Petty romance engulfs beginner
  8. God is, in return, endlessly funny
  9. To the Parisian, wind is awe-inspiring
  10. Hammer gently, holding fuse
  11. One who rolls a joint
  12. Stick with two numbers
  13. Weapons of Mars at war
  14. No more than a pond
  15. Spoiled because of mark found in document
  16. Less aggressive pitcher
  17. Mame; otherwise Miss Woodhouse
  18. New feed for old steer, say
  19. Suitable digs
  20. Perfume promotion wins woman's heart
  21. Student of the sun gets check
  22. Share bit of egg taken from ruffled parakeet
  23. Language on label on a trunk

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