This crossword No. 9542 clues and answers were published on Thu 30 Nov 2000 and the puzzle can be visited by following The Guardian Quick Crossword No. 9542 link.
All Across Clues and Answers:
1-across – Abduct to murder – cheat : TAKEFORARIDE
9-across – Mother-of-pearl : NACRE
10-across – Speak – fast : EXPRESS
11-across – Exact – loyal – honestly : TRUE
12-across – Harem : SERAGLIO
14-across – Enmity : HATRED
15-across – Desert – fault : DEFECT
18-across – Stalemate : DEADLOCK
20-across – Hybrid animal – slipper : MULE
22-across – Think highly of – sanction : APPROVE
23-across – Insane : CRAZY
24-across – Celestial body visible from earth every 76 years : HALLEYSCOMET
All Down Clues and Answers:
2-down – Bill – narrative : ACCOUNT
3-down – Quits – flat : EVEN
4-down – Key – batsman : OPENER
5-down – Seemed – performed – emerged : APPEARED
6-down – Perfect : IDEAL
7-down – Attractive : EASYONTHEEYE
8-down – Present at the finish or climax : INATTHEDEATH
13-down – Bravo : WELLDONE
16-down – Teach – school : EDUCATE
17-down – Approach – entry : ACCESS
19-down – Dismay : APPAL
21-down – Reverberate : ECHO
This crossword has in total 24 where 12 are across and 12 are down.