25a ... but on reflection the setter's devious.
This is the last one to go in, and based on surrounding answers the pattern is "e-a-i-e" ... so it looks like "evasive" (devious)
"but" = "save", which when reflected = "evas" .... but where's the rest coming from ?
And is 24a which concludes with an ellipsis connected somehow to 25a which commences with an ellipsis?
Your help greatly appreciated