Is a brother absolved of liability for money he stole from his uncle's house if he returns it by placing it on their table without a note, for fear of being exposed?

Your brother's obligation is not discharged by leaving the stolen money on the table at home, because someone other than its owner might take the money, and this does not guarantee its return to him. The jurists have mentioned that returning stolen money or a trust after misappropriating it to its original place does not nullify the guarantee. Therefore, his obligation is not discharged except by returning the money to its owner himself.