This crossword No. 10986 clues and answers were published on Fri 22 Jul 2005 and the puzzle can be visited by following The Guardian Quick Crossword No. 10986 link.
All Across Clues and Answers:
1-across – Rapid spreading of information : BUSHTELEGRAPH
8-across – Obstinately conservative : DIEHARD
9-across – One who helps : AIDER
10-across – Conceal – skin : HIDE
11-across – French policeman : GENDARME
13-across – Of little width : NARROW
14-across – Immediate ancestor : PARENT
17-across – State of having been forgotten : OBLIVION
19-across – Not up : ABED
21-across – Heavenly body : COMET
22-across – Oil race : CALORIE
24-across – Requirement to establish the truth : BURDENOFPROOF
All Down Clues and Answers:
1-down – Take part in auction : BID
2-down – Slim : SLENDER
3-down – Device to catch prey : TRAP
4-down – Opposite of snake? : LADDER
5-down – Newspaper : GUARDIAN
6-down – Snake : ADDER
7-down – Gathered in : HARVESTED
10-down – Victorian means of transport : HANSOMCAB
12-down – Light warship : CORVETTE
15-down – Ban : EMBARGO
16-down – Garment with opening for head : PONCHO
18-down – Madagascan primate : LEMUR
20-down – Move wings up and down : FLAP
23-down – Fairy : ELF
This crossword has in total 26 where 12 are across and 14 are down.