The Guardian Cryptic Answers - Friday, 17th December 2004 There are 16 across clues and 16 down clues for the The Guardian Cryptic crossword on Friday, 17th December 2004. View the answers below.. Also try..All The Guardian Cryptic AnswersAll PublicationsThe AnswersNumber# Clue Answer AAcross 1: Tool noticed after masonry courseCOPING SAWAAcross 6: A place to store decomposed fleshSHELFAAcross 9: Gathered round books of music for voicesMOTETAAcross 10: Trim fruit covered in mouldSHIPSHAPEAAcross 11: Nurse without fear of computer equipmentCARDREADERAAcross 12: Let ripRENTAAcross 14: Involuntary outburst interrupts complaint of hairstyleMOHICANAAcross 15: Wind ripped through a fleeceTORNADOAAcross 17: A book of narcoticsNUMBERSAAcross 19: Stop Ned's heartless instructionCOMMANDAAcross 20: Fight for breath while doctor comes roundGASPAAcross 22: Left crew cuddling queen? Exactly!QUITERIGHTAAcross 25: Put back in place to control the nationREINSTATEAAcross 26: A piece introduced when a six-footer's caught outINSETAAcross 27: Daughter of Zeus in danger at OlympiadERATOAAcross 28: Drunk Gaelic ale - becoming mournfulELEGIACALDDown 1: Magazine is vast, but losing directionCOMICDDown 2: Tsar put on overcoatPETERSHAMDDown 3: Bird enthusiast takes the biscuitNUTCRACKERDDown 4: Comfort crossword setters in disgraceSUSTAINDDown 5: Bridge player takes smack that's most pureWHITESTDDown 6: Baldric's son RowanSASHDDown 7: Oriental romance raised cheerELATEDDown 8: Flying club in LancashireFLEETWOODDDown 13: Thirsty? Swallow a drinkDRYMARTINIDDown 14: People, I agree, upset a collection of animalsMENAGERIEDDown 16: Medication sorted out Gail's acneANALGESICDDown 18: Outside America there's flavouring in this foodSAUSAGEDDown 19: Fly half enters island bearing gemstoneCAT'S EYEDDown 21: Star in charge in resortSPICADDown 23: Reach and slug a sovereignTOTALDDown 24: Second placed takes the lead in game? That's capital!OSLO