Public Function [Compare](ByVal x As Object, ByVal y As Object) As Integer _
  Implements IComparer.Compare
 
                Dim xItem As SortWrapper = CType(x, SortWrapper)
                Dim yItem As SortWrapper = CType(y, SortWrapper)
 
                Dim xText As String = xItem.sortItem.SubItems( _
                  xItem.sortColumn).Text
                Dim yText As String = yItem.sortItem.SubItems( _
                yItem.sortColumn).Text
 
                Try
                    Return Convert.ToDouble(xText).CompareTo(Convert.ToDouble( _
                      yText)) * IIf(Me.ascending, 1, -1)
                Catch ex As Exception
                    Return xText.CompareTo(yText) * IIf(Me.ascending, 1, -1)
                End Try
 
            End Function