NY Times Crossword
Henry Hook - June 12, 2004

Each clue below also has a partial answer - written in capital letters. The four partial answers can be connected by the same word followed by four smaller, different words. Can you determine the connection?

1. Former President - BILL CLTON
2. Tonto's horse - SC
3. Beatles' lonely - ELEANOR RIG
4. Highest bid - BEST ER

HINTS:
#1: The four smaller words are: by, in, off, out
#2: The connecting word is DROPPING.

Answers:

1. CLINTON, dropping in
2. SCOUT, dropping out 
3. ELEANOR RIGBY, dropping by
4. BEST OFFER, dropping off