268. those, moreover, who are inquisitive about others' goods and houses, or who put on a disguise, or who expend [lavishly] although they have no [ostensible] income, or who sell things that have been in use.
269. If one arrested on suspicion of theft do not clear himself, he is to be punished as a thief, being first compelled to make good the property stolen.
270. [The monarch] should compel the thief to make restitution of the stolen articles, and subject him to [such of] the different corporeal inflictions [as may be proper]: a bráhmaṇ [who is a thief] he shall brand and banish the realm.
271. When a murder or theft has occurred, and [the criminal] is not traced beyond the village, blame falls on the village governor; if [he be traced] to the public road, blame falls on the governor of the district; if traced out of the district, the officer charged with pursuit of criminals shall be to blame.
272. The village within whose boundary [the crime is perpetrated] shall pay; or [that village shall pay] to which track [of the criminal] leads; so, if the track lead to a place within a krôsh[355] skirting five villages [all shall pay]; so of ten villages.
273. House-breakers,[356] they who steal horses or elephants, murderers by open violence—such shall be impaled.
274. He who purloins [apparel, &c.[357]] shall have a hand cut off; cut-purses,[358] shall have the thumb and fore-finger cut off; for a second offence, a hand and a foot shall be cut off.
275. For theft of goods of trifling, of medium, and of the highest value,[359] the penalty to be inflicted is proportioned to the value of what is stolen. In its determination, place, time, age, and ability, are to be considered.[360]
276. One who knowingly supplies a thief or a murderer with food, shelter, fire, water, counsel, implements, or money, incurs the highest fine.[361]