When the thief pays back what he owes plus the double, is the value assessed from the time of theft, or from the time of judgement? What if the value of an animal stolen increases? Also, what about the stolen item undergoing significant change while in the possession of the thief? That process means that the thief actually acquires the stolen item. But this is difficult. The thief comes out ahead! Plus, a comparison to Yaakov in the house of Lavan.