A six-word ‘current description’ (in ODQ) and the name of the author (three words) run clockwise round the perimeter starting in the top left-hand corner. Four other unclued lights are of a kind, and solvers must highlight the one suggested by the quotation.

 

Across

11 Deposit with variable returns for figure (4)

12 Silly money to pen note (6)

15 Might they strip down parole? It’s wrong (9)

16 French town evicting southern lover (5)

18 Everyone around emperor is a plainsman (7)

19 Drinking most ale, not initially most rum (7)

20 Half-heartedly shake back joint (5)

21 Spaniard cross with a German figure (6)

26 Game with ball, Scot’s ball to continue going left (7)

28 Pinched tin piled high in the East End (7)

29 Pair of Arabs with special Moroccan trees (5)

31 Counters in taxi put back in capital (5)

33 Dissenter at this point quoted the wrong way (7)

38 Small bear marked on the skin (6)

39 Secretarial work one abandons for romance (5)

40 American poorly blocks old weak barrage (9)

41 Danish jester’s releasing right hunting cry (6)

42 Some heat, but not hot period (4)

 

Down

2 The Spanish in terror with fast driver (9)

3 Pound loaned for Roosevelt? (6)

4 Stride around across a road to get fireworks (7)

5 Riding bovid into one vehicle showing rust? (9, two words)

6 Run group of soldiers that is noisy in Glasgow (5)

7 Taller German city about to have debts (8)

8 Nearer Delhi, the royal houses (6)

10 Artist’s aim: cube must be redesigned (7)

13 South American place to the north on island (4)

14 Help me to eat unknown beans (4)

22 Scottish creditor welcomes a property valuer (9)

23 Con with beard’s running, a fugitive (9)

25 Motion with brush or pen to raise pet (8)

27 Plants with other name round river area (7)

29 Get some paper that’s picked up (7)

30 Language of American artist and writer (6)

32 Politician returns small wave (6)

34 Nymph hard to dress in green (4)

35 Fine glazed fabric brought up (4)

36 Rapid fire heard (5)

 

A first prize of £30 for the first correct solution opened on 21 June. There are two runners-up prizes of £20. Please scan or photograph entries and email them (including the crossword number in the subject field) to crosswords@spectator.co.uk – the dictionary prize is not available. We will accept postal entries again at some point. Apologies that there may be a delay in sending out prizes at present.

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