The Wager

An alternative story is that of the Devil’s wager with the architect of the cathedral.  The Evil One was much irritated at the good progress made in the erection of the building and resolved, by means of a cunning artifice, to stop that progress.  To this end he paid a visit to the architect, travelling incognito to avoid unpleasant attentions.

The architect was a man of wit and good sense, as courteous as he was clever; but he had one outstanding failing—­a love of wagering.  Satan, who ever loves to find the joints in an opponent’s armour, chose this one weak spot as a point of attack.  His host offered him meat and drink, which the Devil declined as not being sufficiently high-seasoned for his taste.

“I have come on a matter of business,” said he briskly.  “I have heard of you as a sporting fellow, a man who loves his wager.  Is that correct?”

The architect indicated that it was, and was all eagerness and attention in a moment.

“Well,” said the other, “I have come, in a word, to make a bet with you concerning the cathedral.”

“And what is your wager?”

“Why, I’ll wager that I bring a stream from Treves to Cologne before you finish the cathedral, and I’ll work single-handed, too.”

“Done!” said the delighted architect.  “But what’s the wager?”

“If I win, your soul passes into my possession; if you win, you may have anything you choose.”  And with that he was gone.

Next day the architect procured the services of all the builders that were to be had on such short notice, and set them to work in real earnest.  Very soon the whole town was in a state of excitement because of the unusual bustle.  The architect took to dreaming of the wealth, or the fame, or the honour he should ask as his due when the stakes were won.  Employing his imagination thus, he one day climbed to the top of the highest tower, which by this time was completed, and as he feasted his eyes on the beautiful landscape spread before him he happened to turn toward the town of Treves, and lo! a shining stream was threading its way to Cologne.  In a very short time it would reach the latter city.

The Devil had won!

With a laugh of defiance the architect cast himself from the high tower and was instantly killed.  Satan, in the form of a black hound, sprang upon him, but was too late to find him alive.

But his death stopped for many years the progress of the cathedral; it long stood at the same stage of completion as when the brook first flowed from Treves to Cologne.

The Fire-bell of Cologne

In one of the grand towers of Cologne Cathedral hangs a massive bell, some 25,000 lb. in weight.  No mellow call to prayer issues from its brazen throat, no joyous chimes peal forth on gala-days; only in times of disaster, of storm and stress and fire, it flings out a warning in tones so loud and clamorous, so full of dire threatenings, that the stoutest hearts quail beneath the sound.  Because its awful note is only to be heard in time of terror it is known as the Fire-bell, and a weird tradition relates the story of its founding and the reason for its unearthly sound.