def METHOD_NAME(self):
    """Reads the counter file.
    """
    if not os.path.exists(self.cntfn):
        self.cnt_write()
    with open(self.cntfn) as fd:
        # 100 bytes should be enough for any ID. Can raise ValueErrorr
        _output = int(fd.readline())
    self.count = max(self.count, _output)
    return _output