Produced by Al Haines [Transcriber's note: Extensive research found no evidence that the U.S. copyright on this publication was renewed.] OVER THE LINE _BY_ HAROLD M. SHERMAN _Author of_ One Minute to Play Touchdown! Hit by Pitcher Bases Full, Etc. The Goldsmith Publishing Co. Cleveland, Ohio COPYRIGHT 1929, BY THE GOLDSMITH PUBLISHING CO. INTRODUCTION When a new fellow moves into the neighborhood, you look him over, strike up an acquaintance and sort of go around with him, but not until he shows the sort of stuff he's made of do you take him into the gang and make a real pal of him, or else let him alone, as the case may be. It's somewhat the same with a new book. You look through it, read it and if it's good stuff, the author, like the new chap in the neighborhood, becomes one of the gang. And when such an author keeps on producing sure fire stuff, like Harold M. Sherman has been doing, there is no doubt at all that his books will be read. This book deals with the mental hazard that has been the downfall of so many chaps. But Judd Billings overcomes his obstacle while still at high school and how he later makes a name for himself at college, makes this a book that will be instantly liked by all who read it. In fact, all one need say is that it is a Harold M. Sherman book. J. D. V. CONTENTS CHAPTER I THE STRANGE CONTRACT II JUDD GRITS HIS TEETH III A KICKER Is DISCOVERED IV FIGHTING SPIRIT V FOR A SCRAP OF PAPER VI ILL NEWS AND A NEW ARRIVAL VII THE FIRST NIGHT VIII JUDD PRACTICES FOOTBALL IX AT THE FAIR X THE ATTEMPTED HOLD-UP XI BENZ BROODS XII ONE KIND OF LOYALTY XIII AN IMPRACTICAL JOKE XIV THE CONFESSION XV JUDD GAINS A PROMOTION XVI BEFORE THE GAME XVII THE FIRST HALF XVIII THE SECOND HALF CHAPTER I THE STRANGE CONTRACT "Judd, I'd rather a fellow would be anything else but a quitter!" Judd jumped to his feet, eyes blazing. "I'm not a quitter ... but I'm not gonna go back to school!" Bob Billings, older brother, stared for a moment, unanswering. Judd had come on to the city to visit him during summer vacation. Since the father's death and Bob's attending Bartlett College, there had been little chance for the two to be together, especially with Bob employed in the Star Sporting Goods store, miles away from Trumbull, the little town near which the Billings family lived.