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I believe 27 was discussed earlier and the consensus is that it's &lit. For 3 the "box" is one you watch. Add a d for duke at the beginning of your entry for 35.

Mooncow, Re 27a, I think the ? means that it is an &Lit clue, so the def. is the whole clue. You probably have the answer as (3-3)
3d. is ON + the Shetland instrument (2), all in 'the box' (4) + last letter of 'exit'
35d wordplay is 'retiring' (6) minus the first letter (Duke's exit)

Thanks guys. Didn't spot the instrument for some reason. With 27 I was reading the boy as B, but now see that's the boy's *face* and it all makes sense. In 35d, I was trying to read the Duke's exit as an E, and make the other four letters into retiring -- now you mention adding the D it is all so obvious. Isn't it always thus. There were some pretty tough-to-parse clues in this I thought -- good practice for the grey cells. Many thanks!