Tls

[mra1]

stuck on 17 down - A very rude word! A?T?R?E?S I have been through Chambers and the only thing I can come up with is ATTORNEYS which makes no sense whatsoever - I am fairly certain the letters I have are correct so can anyone point me in the right direction please!

[frugalfred]

"afterness" and "altarless" come up in my machine, but can't parse either.

[jollyroger66]

seen as asterisks

http://www.thefreedictionary.com/asterisks

[mra1]

thank you Frugal Fred - just realised the E is wrong should be S so I think the word could be Asterisks! Incidentally I have The Devils for 12 across Diabolical printers's apprentices - the first word is T?E and I cannot come up with anything else - would you agree with that? I would appreciate your input

[mra1]

thank you Jollyroger66 - would appear to be correct!

[frugalfred]

Printers' devils used to spread the ink on the typeface!

[frugalfred]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Printer%27s_devil

[mra1]

Yes I know that but it is the first word I am uncertain of - T?E I have been through Chambers and got nothing so went with definite article!

[frugalfred]

I think that's fair enough.

[mra1]

Thank you!

[AHearer]

At least The Devils has a literary association -- something notably missing from too much of the rest of this crossword.