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Puzzle #60– May 2006  "The Buck Stops Here"

Instructions: Guess the words defined by the cryptic clues (words vary in length from four to nine 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 continue on the next row, and down words that don't end at the bottom continue in the next column. Nine across words and nine  down words won't fit in the grid unless one of their letters is removed. Those eighteen letters spell a three-word phrase 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. Mystery entry
  2. Braid tossed from stage
  3. Bird going in quickest, relatively
  4. A piece of protective armor covering porthole on a ship, for instance
  5. Returned money for instrument
  6. Fresnel's revolving optical instrument
  7. Rascal denies concealing burn
  8. Nipple, unbound, left out for infant
  9. Law's timeless monument
  10. Fish around head of red fez wearer
  11. Mystery entry
  12. Write a series about comfort
  13. Impression of sudden trouble
  14. Here in Paris, endlessly absorbed by first-rate subjects
  15. Dance in Madrid now without a lead
  16. Stabilize everything with a cover of fibrous material
  17. Detached note about a part in play
  18. Run out of money for present
  19. Crackle of stone in produce
  20. Bill that includes essentially dry, firm meal
  21. Mystery entry

Down

  1. 500 + 144 - 1000 = rubbish
  2. Pick of stock singled out
  3. Out of form, not in shape
  4. A lock restraining cabaret's lead performer
  5. Microbiologist has time to track game
  6. Barbarian's son becomes, finally, eager to pillage
  7. Squirmy leech latches onto tail of black badger
  8. Model talks about a letter
  9. Information retained by keyboard operator
  10. Boat safely holding back fleet
  11. Latin child clutching end of shawl is a whiner
  12. One carriage turned around by itself
  13. Cook dropping cap in oven
  14. Scenarist's opening
  15. Support the ailing visionary
  16. Smashed tablet in contention
  17. French law essentially banning a cut of meat
  18. A loyal leader leaving Atlanta for a city in Egypt
  19. Swell benefit covers everyone
  20. Note: the French dispense food or money
  21. Giant painter loses one
  22. Gradually running out of note paper
  23. Gang member exchanges last of ham for large shellfish
  24. Comic, right before your eyes, getting topless

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