This crossword No. 11942 clues and answers were published on Sat 16 Aug 2008 and the puzzle can be visited by following The Guardian Quick Crossword No. 11942 link.
All Across Clues and Answers:
1-across – Evidence that frees from blame, criticism etc : VINDICATION
9-across – Be rational : MAKESENSE
10-across – Distinctive period of time : ERA
11-across – Dagger : KNIFE
13-across – Withdrawn : RETIRED
14-across – Detective : SLEUTH
15-across – Journalist in charge of publication : EDITOR
18-across – Driver’s chart showing routes : ROADMAP
20-across – Make broader : WIDEN
21-across – Devour : EAT
22-across – Troops protecting back of military formation : REARGUARD
24-across – Rich soup containing barley : SCOTCHBROTH
All Down Clues and Answers:
2-down – Fluid for pen : INK
3-down – Coming down : DESCENT
4-down – Yellow songbird : CANARY
5-down – Main river of the Midlands : TRENT
6-down – Given excessive merit : OVERRATED
7-down – Something set up to obscure the truth : SMOKESCREEN
8-down – Small explosive device for throwing : HANDGRENADE
12-down – Not springy : INELASTIC
16-down – Dignified elderly woman : DOWAGER
17-down – Spattering of liquid from sudden disturbance : SPLASH
19-down – Deserve : MERIT
23-down – Small social insect : ANT
This crossword has in total 24 where 12 are across and 12 are down.