Back in old Russia, the notorious town thief called upon the local priest.
"Father," said he, "Recently I found a purse full of gold. I feel obligated to ask your help in locating the rightful owner."
"Certainly," exclaimed the priest. "I'll make inquiries and the owner will undoubtedly come forward."
It wasn't long after this interview that the priest discovered his watch missing. He immediately dispatched a man to bring the fellow back, and as expected, the watch was in his pocket."
"My son," said the exasperated priest, "here you return a purse full of gold, worth a small fortune, and then you steal an old watch worth next to nothing. I just don't understand."
"It's all very clear," replied the thief, "returning lost articles is a duty to our brethren. "When it comes to stealing, well, that's business ..."