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17d. 8lets. Substitute with good reputation.
-t------.
21a. 9lets. Assembly of animals chaps found by silver lake. M-----r-e.
24a. 6lets. Novel attempt to conceal a bit of one's weight?.T-----.
26a. 6lets. A republic in Africa's overthrown queen. R-----.

21ac menagerie

24ac Trilby

26ac Regina

Sustitute is STAND IN with G(ood) gives STANDING = reputation

17dn standing

Chaps is MEN, silver is AG and the lake is ERIE togetherb gives MENAGERIE

The novel is TRILBY - attempt is TRY concealing ones weight = One pound = 1 LB
gives TRILBY

Thankyou both for help finished .

The republic in Africa is NIGER so "a republic" is A NIGER overthrown (backwards) gives REGINA