Number of old Emile Zola volumes initialled, risky circling those with stained finger (4,5,6-4)
I believe the answer is:
inky pinky parlez-vous
'number of old' is the definition.
The definition suggests an adjective which matches the answer.
'emile zola volumes initialled risky circling those with stained finger' is the wordplay.
I cannot really see how this works, but
'finger' could be 'pinky' (pinky is a kind of finger) and 'pinky' is found in the answer.
This explanation may well be incorrect...
Can you help me to learn more?
I've seen this clue in The Guardian.
Want a hint initially instead of a full solution?
Install my app