No one shall molest the house of a person who is absent, or while he is on a public expedition. Moreover, if anyone should seize property which he could have obtained by a decree of court, while the other party to the suit was absent, he shall restore said property twofold. If, however, he should seize anything which he could not legally obtain, he shall restore threefold the value of the same. Where anyone, before he departs on a public service, is summoned by the judge to the hearing of a case, he must answer in his own proper person; or he may authorize an agent in writing, and in the presence of the judge, to act for him in the matter. But if he should neither give such authority, nor answer in court, and, having absented himself, should thus abandon his case; the judge, after a proper investigation, shall order the property claimed by his adversary to be delivered to him. The absent party, however, shall have the right to reopen the case on his return. =FLAVIUS RECESVINTUS, KING.= =VIII. Where the Slaves of a Person who is Absent on a Public Expedition Commit Unlawful Acts.= If the slave of any person who is absent upon the public service should be implicated, or detected in the commission of any crime, or other unlawful act, he shall be apprehended by order of the judge, and be punished by law, according to the nature of his offence; but if said offence should be of such a character, that the absent master would be liable therefor, or that the slave should be surrendered to another, the culprit shall be kept in custody by the judge until the return of his master, so that the latter may render satisfaction for his acts, should he wish to do so, or, should he be unwilling, that he may surrender the slave. Where a slave is unjustly put to death or subjected to torture, the said master, upon his return, shall have a good cause of action against the judge. =ANCIENT LAW.= =IX. Concerning Those who, while on a Public Expedition, Commit Robbery or Other Depredations.= Those who commit robbery while in the army, shall make fourfold restitution. If they should not have the property wherewith to do so, they shall restore the article stolen, and receive fifty lashes. Should a slave, however, commit this offence, against the will of his master, he shall restore the stolen property, and receive two hundred lashes. All governors of provinces, judges and stewards, shall, without delay, require the enforcement of this law, as we are unwilling that our kingdom should be ravaged by depredators. =ANCIENT LAW.= =X. He in whose Possession Stolen Property has been Found, shall be Compelled to Name his Associates in the Crime.=