Across
1 Fail to avoid young lady (4)
3 Mount unlikely check, about work of little value (3,4,3)
9 Name one volatile gas (4)
10 TV lawyer, character defending army suspect (5,5)
12 Provider of childish amusement, card giving evidence? (4-2-3-3)
14 Drink from trophy after Cambridge college lost at last (6,3)
16 Fortunate? Very possibly (4)
17 Opposed to some in Constantinople (4)
18 Volunteers to feed US artist’s fish (5,4)
20 One eager to leave bang on time caught guard breaking into cupboard (5-7)
24 Drudge recalled being beaten about at home (10)
25 First to recognise a French character (4)
26 Weak type, complete killjoy (3,7)
27 Extremely clever? Yes, to some extent (4)
Down
1 Leader of military junta shot head of charging animal (7)
2 They provide traction, as shown in broadcast about foremost of cars (4,6)
4 Clear above top of tower (5)
5 One keeping score by enclosure with a felt-tip (6,3)
6 Accepted the law needs changing in a protectorate (12)
7 Mould in shed (4)
8 Evergreen, over in glen, I pollarded (4)
11 The enemy is bound to take its toll? Wait and see (4,4,4)
13 Book desolate inn (5,5)
15 Tell all to move nearer fair (4,5)
19 Contemptible involving Church of England in witchcraft (7)
21 Reportedly distraught playwright (5)
22 Broadcast about introduction of cigarette lighter (4)
23 A single person, out of condition, losing heart (4)
