On the basis of Aurel Stein's papers preserved in the Bodleian Library, this article goes through the whole process of Stein's purchases of Chinese manuscripts at Dunhuang in 1914 during his Third Central Asian Expedition. While staying in the town of Dunhuang, Stein bought 21 rolls on April 1 from an anonymous peddler and another 25 rolls from the same peddler on April 2. While staying at the Mogao Caves (Chien-fotung), Stein made a bargain with Wang Yuanlu that he would pay 500 taels of silver for 600 rolls. As Stein insisted on using silver from Aktanga, he had to pay 600 taels with an additional sum of 33 taels for melting losses. Owing to Li Ssu-yieh's negligence in counting the rolls Stein actually received 570, and bought a final total of 616 rolls of Chinese manuscripts at Dunhuang in April 1914.
