Mephisto

[Jammydodgem]

Stuck on these last few Mephisto. Any better brains than mine out there please??

1A) Fitz's suggestion to crooks in abortive tries(12) ?E??SI??ST?R
3d) Traitor has name concealed after beheading (6) ??DI?G
17a) Lieutenants's backing a taking of steps on game (9) ?TO???ALL

[dr john]

1a Bendsinister (bends + in + anag tries). Heraldic term implying illegitimacy.

[Jammydodgem]

Thankyou dr John. Brilliant.!

[geo0939]

Could 17a be Stonewall (Cricket game)?

[Jammydodgem]

I'm not sure geo. I also have stoolball as a possibility, but no idea why it would be correct!

[geo0939]

Afraid mine was a bit of a guess too JD. When you take away A and LT (Lieutenant backwards) whats left doesn't seem to work.

[dr john]

Stool could be Loots (abbrev for Lieutenants) reversed, but I can't see where the taking of steps comes in.

[Jammydodgem]

I suppose a ball is a dance which is taking of steps?

[dr john]

Unless it's ball as in dance?

[dr john]

Yes, Jd, I think that's it.

[Jammydodgem]

Thanks geo and dr john again. Think we have now established stoolball!

[geo0939]

Well done dr john I, was still thinking of ballet as steps:-)
Has to be stoolball.

[kayakamina]

3d Niding

[kayakamina]

Sorry I should explain...N (name) (h)iding

Niding....traitor/coward

[Jammydodgem]

Thanks K!

Many thanks again to all of you for your help.

JD

[kayakamina]

Just a final comment; when I was trying to justify the answer bend sinister I found that it derives from the Fitzgeralds Earls of Kildare. Hence the clue reference to Fitz's !