NAME

ADDRESS

TOWN

POSTCODE

PHONE NUMBER

The first correct entry drawn will receive a copy of Chambers Crossword Dictionary; two runners-up will receive a copy of an anthology of puzzles from the Chambers range. Write your name and contact details in the space provided and send to: Listener Crossword No 3989, 63 Green Lane, St Albans, Hertfordshire AL3 6HE, to arrive by July 17.

Some of the across clues are "Letters Latent", in that the wordplay forming the grid entry leads to the answer with a letter of the alphabet cut, wherever it occurs; the definition refers to the full answer, while the number in brackets indicates the length of the grid entry. In clue order, these letters spell out four words. Down clues consist of two clues, side-by-side, joined by an extra word, either clue appearing first. First letters of the extra words can be rearranged to form a word. This word and the phrase given by the latent letters can both be followed by the same word, thus revealing the theme and a key to re-interpreting the grid in order to derive the dénouement, a possible representation of the theme's last line.

Using the key, a two-word thematic quotation in the grid must be replaced by a thematic name of equal total length. After three ambiguities have been resolved, the dénouement will appear as one whole row of the re-interpreted grid. Submitted solutions must comprise the grid, as initially filled by the clue answers, with the dénouement written beneath. Chambers Dictionary (2003) is the primary reference.

ACROSS
1 German plot to capture a British crew (6)
6 Noble Frenchman widening prince's borders (7)
11 Acting part, one gathered inspiration may be drawn from this (6)
12 Scandinavian city's old and stupid (6)
13 Specific religious instruction essential: time needs setting aside (7)
15 Tennis player dropping fifth of service points (5)
17 English are arrogant, millions wanting to confirm (6)
18 A number wrongly assigned to work on fortification (8)
20 After mixture is safe, ion undergoes hydrolysis (9)
23 Austria's people invaded by leader of Nazis vote for this? (9)
29 Note idiot getting shot before the end? (8)
31 Estate's sheep dog losing weight (6, two words)
33 Writer beginning to stir pulses (5)
34 With pistol, huntsman's shielding Eastern republic (7)
35 River bordered by city showing growth (6)
36 Guarding the border (6)
37 Seen this rank for marine's lead? (7)
38 Saintess tortured, ie, lacking things to put out the flames (6)

DOWN
2,25 Pilots destroyed marine nuclear institute: when packing shot, it's easy to manage (6;6)
3,19 Musician deferring alto's appearance in hit electronic number called Black Moon Flower in which is unknown soprano expressing nature's disintegration (8, two words;8)
4,24 Man with fluid is source of drinks in Georgia following long Russian river (6;6)
5,32 In Glasgow, proceeds to chatter about base Anglican clergyman -- "a bit of demonic spawn" (4;4)
6,30 Footy games with lover of Scotland flipping nervous? One unfortunately suffering game finishing early, one-nil (5;5)
7,28 Famous Hungarian King astride horse might force soldiers to produce some armour (5;5)
8,27 In sea that's turbulent, plant infolds bits of crustaceans and sound of water's rising on island (5;5)
9,26 Drink in Earth covered by sunshine when climbing through wide, rolling dale and wooded country (5;5)
10,13 Director beheaded many a real character? Writer obviously figures high death rate's about right (10;10)
14,21 Autocrat in Number 10 is leading Britain -- he's hardly to be believed in any way (5;5, two words)
16,22 Personal friend's thrown away money on "une femme affreusement sale" (4;4)

More information about Chambers books can be found at www.chambers.co.uk
A dedicated site for Listener puzzle fans can be found at www.listenercrossword.com

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