1A: Criminal lines removed from church, in short (7). I have : ****N*C. 1D: More blank pages in diary for reading (6). I have ****O* (I think 9A is "Sprightly" and if so, will give me **S*O* for 1D)
Re Times Number 23928. For 1ac have put laconic. The reason: Short = laconic, laic = non-clerical and con = criminal. lines in this case means con is inside (lines?) laic.