Instructions: Guess the words defined by the cryptic clues (answers vary in length from four to eleven letters, and six are capitalized) then enter them in the grid one after another in the same order as their clues, starting in the upper left corner. Across words that don't end at the right continue on the next row, and down words that don't end at the bottom continue in the next column. Eleven across words and ten down words won't fit in the grid unless one of their letters is omitted. Those twenty-one letters, taken in order as they occur in across and down words, spell a seven-word message related to the mystery entry. Thanks to Kevin Wald for test-solving and editing this puzzle. (If you are having trouble printing these puzzles, you can download an Adobe Acrobat version of the puzzle and grid).

1. Mystery entry
2. Tree woman chopped down was rotten
3. Dali exercised at gym every day
4. Leaving welfare in doubt at fifty
5. Slander from Cabal, I believe
6. Venetian administrator's pet licked face of emperor
7. Distribute list SOP for guns
8. Visit a lich-gate partly related to an ancient Mediterranean country
9. Air France flight carries one instrument
10. King left castle with small marsupial
11. Cyst had hardness at the time
12. Kiss an actor
13. Broadcast a dire disquietude
14. Holbrook has no ring
15. Munch on pellet found in river
16. Fire at radical involved in notorious feats
17. Spanish dish for press agent and singer
18. Sandwich of the Romans
19. Scandinavians have a hundred parties
20. Teamsters started to question work assignment
21. Race in looser undergarments
22. Window frame of southern hardwood
23. Trendsetter's objective
24. Enraptured by nest reconstruction

1. In capitol I turned into one experienced in the art of government
2. This Tory booklet contains children's literature
3. Soothe excited casualties up front, applying a comforting preparation
4. Story about building extension that can be cut
5. Rob from least poor
6. Sharp manipulator took in republican
7. Sharecropping clip
8. Designer of gameboard I ordered
9. Ingest exotic tea
10. Artist of purer technique
11. Indian origins of one timeless old estate
12. In comparison with English Lord
13. George Washington got unusual wage for bauble
14. Send Red unceremoniously to German city
15. One who winds up but doesn't start as a fisherman
16. Hear swindler was beheaded
17. Slide off and move sideways
18. Gallop in a forest carrying sleeveless garment
19. Fighter in South Carolina is related to Frankish people
20. Worked without interest at first and argued the case
21. Before unit broke down, travel ended
22. Nordic name of undies vendor
23. Nixon getting news initially had to take short, rapid breaths