Answers to clues in italics are to be subjected, before entry in the grid, to the treatment indicated by one unclued light (three words). Definitions of the resulting entries are supplied by the other unclued lights.
 

 Across

1    Details no longer always in unfinished dance (8)
6    Fellow admitted to constant trouble with a caravan (6)
10    Discerning elite had eggs scrambled (12, hyphened)
13    Devout type in hole defending revolutionary position (7)
14    Communist spirit brought about in hardship (6)
16    Cleese film about lecturer suffering woe, sick
17    Detective acting with authority turned and proceeded (8)
21    Disconcert good sort, accepting hard line (8,
two words)
23    One following gripping account not precisely true (7)
25    Sporting idol, man of the world
26    Complacently empty system, hideous
28    Exceptional muscle breaking part of crust (7)
29    Earl involved in an ace commemoration (8)
34    Fans complain endlessly about confusion (8)
35    Ship slang spoken (4)
36    Dry garden almost separate (6)
38    Loaves not left for kangaroos (7)
40    Knight, fine, in set of the same kind (12)
41    Runner absorbed by music and language (6)
42    Poor batting – time for banter (8)
 

Down

2    Gain attention before noon (4)
3    Awls among chisels in store (6)
5    Trial to be rigged without a book (8)
6    Force with base on young leader’s lands (7)
7    Legal opinion of cheese carrying weight (5)
9    Owner wanting millions for plant (5)
12    Disappear from stormy scene after hail, going north (8)
15    Increased abuse about Homer so out of order
18    Allowing one mate rum and so on at sea (10)
19    Notice nickel in piece of mechanism (8)
20    Understand chatter upset recipients of money (6)
22    Collection of data about old trade in silk (9)
24    Emperor’s daughter tormented a servant (8)
27    Experience in course of board game (7)
31    Rick’s bar’s last in country (6)
32    Name tag in light slipper
33    Drama followed by me in provinces (5)
37    Money necessary to escape agitation (4)
 
A first prize of £30 for the first correct solution opened on 1 August. There are two runners-up prizes of £20. (UK solvers can choose to receive the latest edition of the Chambers dictionary instead of cash —
ring the word ‘dictionary’.) Entries to: Crossword 2269, The Spectator, 22 Old Queen Street, London SW1H 9HP. Please allow six weeks for prize delivery.

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