—for its expenses; nothing further is required of him, whether the outlay exceeds the article’s value or falls short.

A person who comes upon a runaway slave is under no obligation to seize him; if the slave belongs to a neighbor or to someone he knows, it is commendable to bring him back, but it is not mandatory. Whoever does apprehend a runaway must hand him over to the judge, who will announce him for one full year and maintain him either from the public treasury (Bayt al-Māl) or at his own expense. Should no claimant appear, the judge sells the slave, reimburses himself for what he has spent, and sets aside any surplus for the owner until he claims it. Throughout that year preceding the sale, the keeper is not liable for maintenance costs beyond the slave’s market value. Once the year has elapsed, the judge’s sale is binding and the owner may not revoke it. If the owner alleges that he had already emancipated the slave or placed him under deferred manumission (tadbīr) before the flight, his word is not accepted and the judge’s sale is not annulled—unless he produces evidence to substantiate the claim, in which case the sale is rescinded.

Anyone who, after apprehending a runaway slave, lets him escape again is liable for his full value. A person who has not specifically undertaken the task of capturing runaways and strays is entitled to no fee; someone known for providing that service is to be paid the customary wage, proportionate to the effort expended and the care required. The same rule applies to those who collect items cast up by the sea: if they have dedicated themselves to the task, they deserve remuneration; otherwise, they receive none. Flotsam is treated like lost property: it is surrendered only under the same conditions as a lost article, and the matter is referred to the judge, who will safeguard it on behalf of its owner.

If a child or a person of unsound mind picks up a lost article and consumes it before the year has passed, its value is to be taken from his property. A slave who does so is liable with his very person: his master may hand him over in payment or redeem him. If he consumes the item after the year has elapsed, the obligation remains a debt upon him; and should he later be emancipated, he is still pursued for it.