if(charOrder == null) { return 0; }
    protected int compareChar(char comp1, char comp2)    {      Integer c1 = new Integer((int) comp1);      Integer c2 = new Integer((int) comp2);            Integer i1 = (Integer) charOrder.get(c1);      Integer i2 = (Integer) charOrder.get(c2);            if(i1== null)      {        // is not in the list --> give it the worst number          i1 = new Integer(charOrder.size() + 1);      }      if(i2 == null)      {        // is not in the list --> give it the worst number          i2 = new Integer(charOrder.size() + 1);      }      return i1.compareTo(i2);    }