    # File lib/chef/encrypted_data_bag_item.rb, line 105
      def self.load_secret(path=nil)
        path = path || Chef::Config[:encrypted_data_bag_secret] || DEFAULT_SECRET_FILE
        secret = case path
                 when /^\w+:\/\//
                   # We have a remote key
                   begin
                     Kernel.open(path).read.strip
                   rescue Errno::ECONNREFUSED
                     raise ArgumentError, "Remote key not available from '#{path}'"
                   rescue OpenURI::HTTPError
                     raise ArgumentError, "Remote key not found at '#{path}'"
                   end
                 else
                   if !File.exists?(path)
                     raise Errno::ENOENT, "file not found '#{path}'"
                   end
                   IO.read(path).strip
                 end
        if secret.size < 1
          raise ArgumentError, "invalid zero length secret in '#{path}'"
        end
        secret
      end