Mysterious Island

Nine related entries, all going down, are unclued; each is missing one letter. Taken from their entries in order from left to right, the missing letters should be placed in the central island from left to right and top to bottom, where they will identify themselves. Although lengths are withheld, most clued entries are normal; in a few cases where clue answers cross, a letter is used in only one direction and should be ignored in the other direction. Half of these letters are used only by Acrosses and half only by Downs; when circled and read clockwise around the center from a spot to be determined, they will identify the mysterious island. Ten clue answers are capitalized.

Note: The instructions above are for this month's puzzle only. It is assumed that you know how to decipher clues. See a complete introduction to clue-solving.

Beginning with the March issue, the Atlantic Puzzler will be available online only, at www.theatlantic.com

Last month's Puzzler solution is on page 178.

Visit the Puzzler Index—try your hand at puzzlers going back to 1997.

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1. Box, initially, for every one put ashore

4. Preserves harboring mean reptiles

9. Anti-art message from sponsors repeatedly brought back

10. Article I wrapped in red next to Persian poetry collection

11. Storied landing site for papyrus boat taken by a deserter

12. Agreeable resort on the Riviera

13. Pamphlets about Volume Five in crates

14. Noted Baptist I see in New Jersey flipped

15. Split about popular music insensitivity (two words)

16. Babes: It's about new lover

17. Greeting in misery, hug

18. Somewhat traditional opening for diggers

20. Jelly's cap is off

22. Magnificent suds seen from behind

23. Plant in wet ground and step on it

24. Small auto's signs of a mishap

25. Sulk after runner split (two words)

28. Rodent breaking rib, leg

30. Screen siren's given name intoxicating to an audience

31. Beginning to drink sherry in a mournful way

32. School record returned

33. Shelter slowly accepting adult

34. Assuming need to pay, tear fell

35. Show appreciation for cold drink

36. Former name for a Beatle button used by callers (two words)

37. Reggae dance held by Alaskan kids

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2. Coming before—that is, right after—peer

3. Situation for a tennis player with a racket (two words)

5. A pitch by one game company

6. Bird is ingesting bismuth

7. Only adapted neutral material

8. Instruments suit lens poorly

9. Crackers down toward the back

14. Wear green gemstone

17. Stag gathering that lady's offering the worst conditions

19. Legendary knight's start in novel

21. Vague, losing the first guessing game (two words)

26. I had it accommodating old jerk

27. Bag holding last of layer cake

29. Toss back a rope with balls attached

31. Mysterious island's final craft