It's artful and crafty, ultimately (3)

I believe the answer is:

sly

'it's artful' is the definition.
(similar in meaning)

I cannot understand how the remainder of the clue works.

(Other definitions for sly that I've seen before include "Artful" , "Devious and furtive" , "Cunning, foxy" , "Crafty, devious" , "Devious, cunning" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.

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