return prp.getProperty( key );
    }

    /**
     * Retrieve an <code>int</code>. If the key does not exist or
     * cannot be converted to an <code>int</code>, the provided default
     * argument will be returned.
     */

    public static int getInt( String key, int def ) {
        String s = prp.getProperty( key );
        if( s != null ) {
            try {