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Obscure vault 99 (7)
help
It's the cryptic crossword discussion game. Tease each other with clues, help each other with the dailies, educate the beginners, whatever.
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Sorry, I intended to put those in 'white' ... Hides head in shame
frustration
Sorry to drag this mouldy old game out of the cupboard, but I'm stuck on 3 clues in today's Grauniad and may go insane if I don't at least air them. It's by Bunthorne, in case anyone knows the setters well enough for that information to help (I don't, though I know I like some better than others).

27 Across: Backhanders part of this player's service? (9) S _ * _ * _ E _ R
23 Down: The pen of Zeus? (4) _ E _ *
24 Down: She's between borrower and lender (4) _ O _ *

(The asterisks mark the points of intersection, in case that's not totally obvious.)

24 Down
"NORA"? As in neither a borrower nor a lender be?
23 Down
I was thinking of "AURA" (Zeus turned her into a fountain) but apart from being somewhat of a stretch it would muck up your 'E'.
27 Across
"SCRIVENER"? Anagram of 'service' and 'RN' - the latter being the 'senior service' and a type of cigarette produced by Players. Convoluted? Backhander/Bribe/Broker/Scrivener ??? Dunno. Anyway, again, it'll muck up your 'E' in this one too. I shall retire.
Doncha just hate it?
Why am I confusing myself and attacking clues about which I know sweet bugger all? 23 Down could be "LEDA" ... If I recall correctly Zeus diguised himself as a swan to seduce her - which would make her a pen?

That would blow 'Scrivener' out of the water which, given the 'E' conflict sounds reasonable.

      L   N            
  E O    
  D R    
SHAMATEUR
         
         
         

Got the beggars - I think. ... :-/

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