Some people are inclined to take ghost stories lightly.

Don't!

There are ghosts, and, they can crop up anywhere in various guises.

Apparitions in ghost tales have appeared as a man, sometimes a woman. They may take the form of an animal usually as a dog or cat, with or without a head. More often they may assume the form of an inanimate object like a laundry bag, a light, a curtain or drape.

Most frequently a ghost makes its presence known by sound footsteps, tapping on a window, scratching or, via a wisp of wind, or speaking via your thoughts.

In many cases, the ghost has no motive for appearing. In other instances, it may deliver a message, with good news or bad. As a general rule, most ghosts are friendly and go about their own way, unless disturbed.

Today, ghosts have to learn to fend for themselves. They, themselves, are being "stalked" by paranormal investigators, more popularly known as "ghost busters."

Ghosts are everywhere.

And, "ghost busters," or paranormal investigators, are everywhere.

The paranormalists are looking at strange sightings at the McPike Mansion at Alton, Ill.

They're looking for signs of a small tribe of Indians who disappeared after robbing U.S. troops of payroll gold during the Civil War era around the Karnak and Old Grand Chain area in Southern Illinois.

In Cape Girardeau, they look for signs of "friendly" ghosts in a couple of long-standing homes.

The people who take their awesome-looking equipment into some sinister looking place are called "paranormal investigators," but, in reality, they are "ghost hunters."

Snider Paranormal Investigations has opened in Cape Girardeau. The new business at 733 Broadway is a paranormal investigation service that uses "knowledge and equipment" to tell if a house, or area, is really haunted," said Frank Snider, owner of the company and one of its investigators.

The new business is one of many ghost-hunting companies throughout the United States.

Several ghost-hunting organizations have been founded, including the American Ghost Society at Alton, Ill.; Eastern Illinois Society for Paranormal Research; Ohio Ghost Hunter Society; Ghost Hunters of Southern Michigan; and the International Ghost Hunters Society. These groups are dedicated to research and investigation of the paranormal.

Paranormalists have been called into one old mansion in Southern Illinois, following some ghostly happenings.

The house was constructed in the late 1800s in Southern Illinois. It was a big place -- 10 rooms, basement and attic. It had been vacant a couple of decades when a family moved into it. Creaking and unsettling sounds could be heard early on. This was followed by strange smells, and sudden temperature changes in any one room of the old home.

Other strange happenings started occurring. A ghostly voice urged the family to leave. A secret passage or two was founded, leading a secret room. Eventually the family moved, leaving the old mansion empty once more to the unknown. Two years later, paranormal investigators could find nothing, and left with the opinion the ghosts had no reason to reappear. The ghosts had their house back.

During a recent evening, a small group visited the McPike Mansion, in Alton. The mansion, now on the National Historic Register, has long been vacant, occupied only by spirits of the past. The groups were participating in "Antoinette's Haunted History Tour."

McPike Mansion was constructed in 1869 by architect Lucas Pfeiffenberger, for its original owner, Henry G. McPike, and had many owners before being abandoned in the 1950s.

The years since then have not been kind to the giant three-level structure. It is a favorite visiting site, however, by ghost enthusiasts and paranormal investigators, as they try to make contact with the paranormal phenomena.

Most paranormal probers are aware of the ghost situation in Alton, just north of St. Louis.

Alton, a historic and quint city overlooking the Mississippi River, has a history which includes dozens of old residences that are stylish, historic and haunted by Altonians of days gone by.

"Fate Magazine," a nationally distributed publication that has been reporting on paranormal phenomena for more than four decades, has called Alton "possibly the most haunted small town in the U.S.A."

And, the McPike Mansion has its share of ghosts possibly as many as 50 ghosts in one home.

History and haunting tours are held in Alton each April and October. These tours are usually "full up." Additional information concerning the tours is available by calling 1 (618) 462-4009.

At this point, some of the Alton ghosts are known by name. There's Rachel, a young girl who sits on the steps of an old hotel, patiently waiting for her parents. There is the "Lady in Blue," who is always accompanied by a fragrant scent of jasmine. And, Mr. Hall's Head, which keeps appearing in the strangest place.

So, yes, Virginia, there are ghosts.

Paranormal investigators point out that ghosts won't normally hurt you, but they can. Mostly, ghosts may make you hurt yourself.

Some other ghostly observations:

* Ghosts move at the speed of thought and often speak to you through thought.

* Ghosts will mess with your ghost-hunting equipment.

* Ghosts may follow you home.

The ghost-hunting crowds have compiled some guidelines for ghost hunters:

* Always get permission from the property owner to investigate.

* Never disrespect the property. Ghosts can get angry, and so do the property owners.

* Have a first-aid kit handy. Just in case!

* No alcoholic beverages and no smoking.

* Don't be overanxious. Always wait at least 15 minutes before snapping pictures and running experiments. The ghosts have to get used to being there.

* Never go ghost-hunting along. You are safer in a group. Depending on the situation, at least two will suffice, however, four or more is recommended.

* Do not show fear. It may be used against you.

* Don't put yourself in a dangerous situation! Know your surroundings and carry something you can defend yourself with -- Mace, club, etc. -- not from the ghosts but from any potential mugger, rapist and other sick people out there. Don't go to an area known for crime. It's not worth it.

Paranormal investigators search for evidence of ghosts, using knowledge and special equipment to tell if a house is really haunted.

They can offer help to those who think they have a haunted house.

Paranormal investigators use a variety of equipment in their search for ghosts. A few of them:

* Ghost detectors: Cyclops Head-Mount IR Video Camera designed by ParaVision; A.W. Sperry digital EMF meters to locate electromagnetic fields possibly emitted by ghosts; compass used like a ghost detector (when the needle goes crazy, something is there!).

* Recorders: Camcorders to document and record interviews with witnesses.

* Thermometer: To record temperature variances due to ghosts and digital multi-meters.

* Cameras: 35 mm cameras, zoom lens with lots of 200 and 400 speed film, and a Polaroid close-up camera.

* Other: Five-channel Radio Headsets (2); regular flashlights; energizer halogen flashlight.