This crossword No. 9378 clues and answers were published on Tue 23 May 2000 and the puzzle can be visited by following The Guardian Quick Crossword No. 9378 link.
All Across Clues and Answers:
1-across – Secret – paranormal : OCCULT
4-across – Meat – essayist or painter : BACON
7-across – Lodging : BILLET
8-across – Whole : INTACT
9-across – Clenched palm : FIST
10-across – Polite request : EXCUSEME
12-across – Saying things over and over again : REPETITIOUS
17-across – Virtue – card game : PATIENCE
19-across – Tidy : NEAT
20-across – Truthful : HONEST
21-across – Sexual or psychological urge : LIBIDO
22-across – Absolute : TOTAL
23-across – Container – ship : VESSEL
All Down Clues and Answers:
1-down – Actor – national theatre : OLIVIER
2-down – It is often marked blue : COLDTAP
3-down – Trumpeter – national theatre : LYTTELTON
4-down – Southern African people and language : BANTU
5-down – French stately home : CHATEAU
6-down – Lower : NETHER
11-down – National theatre : COTTESLOE
13-down – Dead as a dodo : EXTINCT
14-down – Vehicle – book : OMNIBUS
15-down – Outrage : SCANDAL
16-down – Result : UPSHOT
18-down – Artist’s stand : EASEL
This crossword has in total 25 where 13 are across and 12 are down.