05.03.09 -- Cryptic

19A. EBBING, Sadly, Big Ben is on the decline (6)

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Sunday, May 3, 2009

Cryptic Crossword by Emily Cox and Henry Rathvon, edited by Will Shortz

Click on image to enlarge.

Puzzle available on the internet at

THE NEW YORK TIMES -- Crossword Puzzles and Games

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Across: 1. From stem to stern, tossed in the Sound (10); 6. Exchange hands, from right to left (4); 10. Dirt from two states in Dixie? (7); 11. I guess I showed you this other envelope’s contents! (2, 5); 12. Brother cooking chicken as we speak (5); 13. In audition, ape irregular soldier (9); 14. Correcting and composing essays for The Voice (8); 16. “Iceman” playing in picture palace (6); 19. Sadly, Big Ben is on the decline (6); 21. Heard on a regular basis, as Galahad (8); 24. Rule the head of the school declared (9); 25. Listened to ghastly old tale-teller (5); 26. Ancient Greek expertise in bridge (7); 27. Narrative article in need of editing (7); 28. Ransom Eli’s car sold off (4); 29. Paper fixed, according to reporters (10).

Down: 1. People working together in concert ask for Celine (4, 5); 2. Oscar Wilde’s gaol interpretation (7); 3 One of the French the German hypnotized (5); 4. Elements of light around the head generals (8); 5. Coat with fake luster (6); 7. What fun to be horizontal in a bike stunt (7); 8. Holy statue made of pastry, thanks to the British (5); 9. Bird’s pitch caught by Chuck (8); 15. A big town, after decade shows endurance (8); 17. One next to little gym club is in a bad way (9); 18. Bug holds musical note without being obvious about it (2, 6); 20. Robber gang acquires rig (7); 22. Prickly flower is off the list (7); 23. Insert peg into fixed keyboard (6); 24 Bother with orange and green sauce (5); 25. Good new Coke mascot in TV ads (5).