Crossword Genius

In return a number get nothing (3)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

nil

'nothing' is the definition.
(eg nil is zero in football)

'in return a number' is the wordplay.
'return' shows that the letters should be reversed in order.
'a number' becomes 'l' (fifty in Roman numerals).
'in' back-to-front is 'ni'.
'ni'+'l'='NIL'

'get' is the link.

(Other definitions for nil that I've seen before include "0" , "Zero, zilch" , "duck" , "Non-existent" , "Love" .)

I've seen this clue in The Globe and Mail.
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