We do not forbid that slaves should be tortured, in order to convict their master or mistress of counterfeiting; as, by this means, the truth may be the more easily ascertained. If a slave belonging to another person should give information of such a crime, and it should prove to be true, he shall be given his freedom, if his master consents, and the latter shall receive his value from the public treasury; and if he does not consent, the slave shall receive three ounces of gold from the public treasury. Where the informer is a freeman, he shall be entitled to six ounces of gold, on account of the service which he has rendered. =FLAVIUS CHINTASVINTUS, KING= =II. Concerning those who Debase Solidi, or Other Coins.= Where anyone debases, pares, or files, _solidi_, he shall be arrested, as soon as the judge is apprized of the fact; and, if he is a slave, his right hand shall be cut off. If he should be arrested a second time, for the same offence, he shall be brought before the king, to be disposed of at the royal pleasure. Where the judge hesitates to discharge his duty in a case of this kind, he shall forfeit the fourth part of his property, which shall be confiscated for the benefit of the treasury. If the offender is a freeman, he shall forfeit half of his property to the treasury; if he is of inferior rank, he shall lose his freedom, and shall be given up as a slave to whomever the king may select. Whoever shall engrave or make counterfeit money, no matter who he may be, shall undergo a similar sentence and penalty. =ANCIENT LAW.= =III. Concerning those who Debase Gold by a Mixture of Other Metals.= Whoever receives gold to be made into ornaments and debases the same, by the mixture of brass, silver, or any other metal of inferior value, shall be deemed guilty of theft. =IV. Where Artificers of Metals are found to have Abstracted a Portion of what was Entrusted to Them.= Goldsmiths, silversmiths, and all other workers in metals, who abstract anything from what has been entrusted or delivered to them, shall be deemed guilty of theft. =V. No One shall Refuse to Accept a Golden Solidus of Legal Weight.= No one shall dare to refuse to accept a golden _solidus_ of legal weight, provided it is genuine; nor demand other money in exchange for the same, unless it should be of short weight. Whoever shall act contrary to this law, and refuse to accept a golden _solidus_ of legal weight, or shall demand a premium, in exchange for the same, as aforesaid; shall be compelled by the judge to pay three _solidi_ to him from whom he refused to accept the coin. This law shall also apply to _tremisæ_. BOOK VIII. CONCERNING ACTS OF VIOLENCE AND INJURIES. TITLE I. CONCERNING ATTACKS, AND PLUNDER OF PROPERTY.