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Can I direct you to the times cryptic today.A very welcome addition by an old master.Reminding us of "the old days" yet fresh in the memory of some.A delightful grid,cleverly worked to give the amateur all the clues needed to solve and the expert time to guffaw.Enjoy if you can.

Mea culpa,Wadham Sutton

That was great fun,tommy:thank you for the tip! But can you explain 2 details?
1a: what has "forte" got to do with "long suit"?
and 13a: "wort" = "argument about origin"?
Must be a bit thick today!

13ac argument about = row backwards wor + origin of (t)his

Thank you, gaperon! Do you have any idea of the other one? The clue is:
Wise, we're told,to wear long suit at crime play.
Answer: (Alan Bennett's play 1968) "Forty Years On"(very appropriate).
Pun on "wise" & "arson",OK,but where's the long suit in "forte"???

Sorry, can't help, still trying to work it out myself!

hi guys
Hope this may help re "forte"
a "forte" is a "long suit" or "strong suit" meaning an asset of special worth or utility;
"cooking is his forte"

suit as in a game of cards etc.

thank you, jazzgirl --- that's a new exp. for me, but then I don't play cards much!

Knew it as meaning a special quality, but cards? me neither - think I'll stick to crosswords!