No whispers about these crafty folk? (10)

I believe the answer is:

shipowners

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'these crafty folk?' is the definition.
The definition suggests an adverb but the answer is not.

'no whispers about' is the wordplay.
'about' indicates an anagram.
'no'+'whispers'='nowhispers'
'nowhispers' with letters rearranged gives 'SHIPOWNERS'.

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I've seen this clue in The Times.

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