“Do you imagine trouble because the three blue lights showed on the river last night?”
“Well,” was the reply, “they surly do bring trouble.”
“In what way?” insisted Clay.
“Oh, there’s wrecks, and burnings, and shooting, and all manner of things going on, somehow, after them three blue lights show.”
“Then perhaps I’d better be getting back to the river!” Clay suggested.
“I wouldn’t leave no boat that was worth ready money long alone along the Ohio river at this time of year,” the woman answered. “And let me tell you another thing,” she went on. “If you see three blue lights, keep away from them! Don’t go near where they are, and get out of the vicinity of them as fast as you can.”
“We’re not afraid of ghosts!” laughed Clay.
“I can’t say more!” the woman continued. “I don’t know but I’ve said too much now. I hope you’ll take an old woman’s advice and keep out of trouble. Where might you boys be from, now?”
“Chicago,” replied Clay.
“Sho’, now!” exclaimed the old woman. “I’ve never seen any one from Chicago before. “I’ve heard of it often, though. Must be a right pert place. Some one told me it was almost as big as Paducah.”