In this three-dimensional block cryptic, every slice that contains words has two words of 7, 6, 5, and 4 letters. Seven answers are capitalized; one is a variant spelling.
A solver's diagram is available, which you can print out at 25% size. In the solver's diagram, Across and Down answers are entered in the slices, and Through answers are entered with one letter in each slice, working down the slices. Alternatively, you can use the diagram below as a guide, in which Across and Down answers are entered normally, and Through answers are read across the page.
DIAGRAM XXXXXXX X X XXXXXX X X X X XXXXX X X X X X XXXX X X X X X X X X X X X X X XXXXXX X X X XXXX X X X X XXXXXXX X X X X XXXXX X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X XXXXX X X X X XXXXXXX X X X X XXXX X X X XXXXXX X X X X X X X X X X X X X XXXX X X X X X XXXXX X X X X XXXXXX X X XXXXXXX slice 1 slice 2 slice 3 slice 4 slice 5 slice 6 slice 7 CLUES Across 1 Will that hurt small bats? (7) 5 Fountain site near Rome: I love it when last of lire is tossed backwards (6) 9 Shakes loose shirts, going topless (5) 13 These are sometimes even; these are never even (4) 18 Stand past contempt (6) 23 Changing name? You bet! (4) 26 Vacant hilltown contains fragments of Greek architecture (7) 27 Passage I will shortly read out loud (5) 30 Hangs tough, concealing anxiety (5) 34 Movement constrained by minimal leg room (7) 35 Copy made in Mexico after losing original (4) 36 Dig around a long time hero (6) 37 Tea companion (4) 41 Regis changing principal sponsorship (5) 42 Catches sight of supernatural power that is singular (6) 43 Heard couple spends money for rugs (7) Down 1 Part of horse's back droops (7) 2 Uniform, like pâté (6) 6 Beat transfer to the North (5) 7 Place to find dates, mostly without guarantees (2,2) 20 Crazy teams in cons (7) 21 Place for dieters to gain energy (6) 24 Natural mineral water rising (5) 25 Bring back a little information (4) 30 Saw Spot grow old (5) 31 Party retained Knight (7) 32 Pulls guts out (4) 33 Daffy's "Merrie Melodies" they're showing a lot in Rio (6) 37 Heads off maker of a nonsensical complaint (4) 38 Gowns to delight (5) 39 Query sibling about Eastern self-discipline (7) 40 Ascend a steeple (6) Through 3 Hopi at evening ingesting drug (6) 4 Traumas upset island (7) 6 Go miles around China (7) 8 Muscleman eventually brought back to provide cover for canines (6) 9 Gets near pitch pines (7) 10 Jazz players' long-running show (4) 11 Manage small annex (5) 12 Announced modest magical effect (7) 14 Dance form: one circle next to another (5) 15 Accelerated special education (4) 16 Opposite of close shave? (6) 17 Light gold carriage (6) 19 Any number subtracted from zero is zero (5) 22 Beach sounds used for meditation and enlightenment (5) 28 Fresh competition on Monday (4) 29 Shoot swallow returning (4)
Originally published in The Enigma, official publication of the National Puzzlers' League, July 2000.
