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Puzzle #49– June 2005  " A Matter of Degree "

Instructions: Guess the words defined by the cryptic clues (words vary in length from four to ten letters and include three 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; down words that don't end at the bottom margin continue in the next column. Six across words and five down words won't fit in the grid unless one of their letters is removed. Those eleven letters, taken in order, spell a word related to the three mystery entries. As ever, I am indebted 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. Check bag containing Bordeaux and book
  2. Hear song about crime
  3. Malfunctioning related to pedal
  4. Small vessel brought out that's difficult to handle
  5. Alerted about fifty and left
  6. Mother at fifty is a milk producer
  7. Popular line of poetry features the opposite
  8. Fellow at church keeping guard
  9. Know about craving for cuisine
  10. Mystery entry
  11. Shoot birds and flowers
  12. Consider muslin
  13. Send back agent to intercept a commie
  14. Start to train, learn without limits, and go really fast
  15. Narrow strip down the middle of First Avenue
  16. Good-bye, Royal Mongolian
  17. Color in Hergé's hero
  18. Consequently, start to treat fungus
  19. Is housed unlawfully by virtue of being in streets
  20. "Time line" is a figure of speech
  21. Money gets a degree in part of Algiers

Down

  1. Insert tip of spit in body to make a small aperture
  2. Stir up unrest, getting nothing for hesitation
  3. Mistakes are art in disguise
  4. Father in camp ate regularly
  5. Trite censure by a licentiate
  6. Church in Aberdeen caching ceramic ware
  7. Deity with a pointed stick
  8. Accompanying intelligence, a bit of humor
  9. Badly ported grass
  10. Family group hits potassium for a metallic sound
  11. Best at engaging with high rank
  12. Mystery entry
  13. Spoils for a god
  14. List of characters includes parrot without a chest
  15. Actor's injury
  16. Ask endlessly about painting house
  17. Mystery entry
  18. South of Paris started selling beer
  19. Handle struck about fifty
  20. Wild baboon losing love for governor
  21. Appropriate contest
  22. Palm oil brought back before noon
  23. Cereal coating contains tungsten for strength
  24. Cranky, contrary vice president is dogged by his error

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