Until when is he required to announce? Until there is time for its neighbors to know of it; [these are] the words of R’ Meir. R’ Yehudah says: Three festivals, and seven days after the last festival, so that he [have] three [days to] go home, three [days to] return, and one day [to] announce.

[If] he mentioned the lost article, but did not mention its distinguishing features, he should not give it to him. As for a de-ceiver —- although he mentions its distinguishing features, he should not give it to him, as it is said (Deuteronomy 22:2): “Until your brother seeks it” [which is interpreted as meaning:] until you test your brother [to determine] whether he is a deceiver or whether he is not a deceiver.  Anything that works and eats shall work and eat; anything that does not work, but eats, shall be sold, as it is said (ibid.): “And you shall return it to him,” [which is interpreted as meaning:] see how you shall return it to him.  What shall be with the money? R’ Tarfon says: He may use it; therefore, if it is lost, he is responsible for it. R’ Akiva says: He may not use it; therefore, if it is lost, he is not responsible for it.