# File lib/rubygems/security.rb, line 357
    def self.verify_trust_dir(path, perms)
      # if the directory exists, then make sure it is in fact a
      # directory.  if it doesn't exist, then create it with the
      # appropriate permissions
      if File.exist?(path)
        # verify that the trust directory is actually a directory
        unless File.directory?(path)
          err = "trust directory #{path} isn't a directory"
          raise Gem::Security::Exception, err
        end
      else
        # trust directory doesn't exist, so create it with 
        # permissions
        FileUtils.mkdir_p(path)
        FileUtils.chmod(perms, path)
      end
    end