The Duel

# The Duel

A motor-racing story centered on professional drivers competing in a dangerous 23-hour beach race. The narrative begins in the paddock, where young driver Louis Delmar, famous despite his age of twenty-three, inspects a new black racing car that has already injured several mechanics during preparation. His friend Laurence, who will share driving duties, seems haunted by the machine's apparent malevolence.

Delmar meets Elsie Leland, an innocent blonde woman, at the track and is immediately drawn to her, though Laurence appears to have some prior connection with her. During the race itself, Laurence crashes and is killed instantly when he takes the black car around a curve. Delmar wins the race and subsequently signs an exclusive contract to drive the cursed vehicle. The car continues its pattern: it injures or kills anyone except Delmar who operates it, yet never harms him, though he comes repeatedly near death. Delmar pilots the car to victory after victory across the racing season, deliberately entering it in every major event. The story ends as Jack Leland, Elsie's brother, approaches Delmar at the next race venue.