Across 1. It's why I claim it might be a fanciful characteristic (12) 9. Metal mast-head used in plant (9) 10. Praises two-fold rising against the South (5) 11. Concerns a speck of dust? Far from it (6) 12. A sharp blow with a garden-tool leaves red skin, we're told (8) 13. It's such a waste to leave like this (6) 15. Diamonds best? That's sweet (3-5) 18. Leading in the fight, one gathers (6,2) 19. Doesn't call for advances? (6) 21. Be disarming, perhaps, in the theater? (8) 23. Way to go round on foot (6) 26. Free love in embrace of miss! (5) 27. It's quite unpredictable when the cashier's not present (2,7) 28. For an unusual stitch, lay bet on an old security mechanism (8,4) Down 1. Bet one's earnings on a single colour (7) 2. Muslim leader supports hair-style and white robes of Mecca pilgrims (5) 3. Car tested, found faulty, and broken up (9) 4. Early killer one put in jail (4) 5. Lines from tree to stack? (8)

6. Switch lit up bulb (5) 7. Hard-hearted as Naomi certainly wasn't (8) 8. First edition faces adverse opinion (6) 14. Relief worker? (8) 16. Worker enters unfriendly town producing lace (9) 17. Document about American taste for horses (8) 18. Truly make friends again (6) 20. Chemical I acquired for the water - chestnut (7) 22. Candidates for crowning that might eventually be removed (5) 24. Circular letter liable to shock a girl (5) 25. The case of one who mends? (4)