is warranted by [his possession
of] the property stolen, or by traces of him, also by his having been
an offender previously, or his being an inmate of a house of ill
repute.

267. And others there are who may be arrested on suspicion, _viz._,
such as conceal their caste, name, &c., also those addicted to
gambling, to women, and to drinking, and such as have [betrayed
themselves by] a parched mouth in speaking, or a stammering voice;

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 brahman [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
_krosh_[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]

277. For wounding with weapons, and for causing abortion, the highest
fine is ordained; the highest or the lowest for killing a man or a
woman