/**
   * Retrieve the value of the named environment property.
   *
   * @param key The name of the requested property.
   * @return The value of the requested property, or <code>null</code> if the property is undefined.
   */
  public String getProperty(String key) {
    SecurityManager sm = System.getSecurityManager();

    if (sm != null) {
      sm.checkPropertyAccess(key);
    }

    return (framework.getProperty(key));
  }