if ( s != null ) {
            try {
                def = Integer.parseInt(s);
            }
            catch ( NumberFormatException nfe ) {
                log.error("Not a number", nfe);
            }
        }
        return def;
    }


    /**
     * Retrieve an <code>int</code>. If the property is not found, <code>-1</code> is returned.
     */