the threatened
calamity might be averted. She set out to visit the wife of the
rival architect, with whom she was intimate. The hostess greeted her
effusively, and the ladies had a long chat over bygone times. More and
more confidential did they become under the influence of old memories
and cherry wine. Skilfully the guest led the conversation round to the
subject of the hidden spring, and her friend, after exacting a promise
of the strictest secrecy, told her its exact situation. It lay under the
great tower of the cathedral, covered by the massive stone known as the
'Devil's Stone.'

"Let me have your assurance again," said the anxious lady, "that you
will never tell anyone, not even your husband. For I do not know what
would become of me if my husband learnt that I had told it to you." The
other renewed her promises of secrecy and took her leave. On her return
home she promptly told her husband all that had passed, and he as
promptly set to work, sunk a well at the spot indicated, and found the
spring. The foundations of the aqueduct were laid and the structure
itself soon sprang up. The architect of the cathedral saw with dismay
that his secret was discovered. As the building of the aqueduct
progressed he lost all interest in his own work; envy and anger filled
his thoughts and at last overcame him. It is said that he died of a
broken heart, cursing with his latest breath the cathedral which he had
planned.

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