At any time before the delivery of the property to the plaintiff the defendant may, if he does not except to the sureties of the plaintiff, require the return thereof upon giving to the marshal a written undertaking, executed by two or more sufficient sureties, to be approved by the marshal, to the effect that they are bound in double the value of the property as stated in the affidavit of the plaintiff, for the delivery thereof to the plaintiff, if such delivery be adjudged, and for the payment to him of such sum as may, for any cause, be recovered against the defendant. If a return of the property is not so required within three days after the taking and service of a copy of the affidavit and undertaking to a defendant, it shall be delivered to the plaintiff, except as provided in section 221 of this title.