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and sometimes distinct. Later, some said they heard "mumbling" and voices. This went on for several months, but only the miners who had heard the noises were disturbed or concerned. Then more serious things began to happen. One of the men entered the mine late at night to check on some equipment, and when he finished and started to leave some "small men" grabbed him from behind, knocked his lamp from his hands and "shot" him with something that forced him violently against the mine wall, knocking him unconscious. In the morning, workers found him apparently none the worse for his experience physically, but quite shaken mentally. He said he would never again enter a mine and promptly dropped out of the occupation.

     “‘A few days later a miner on night watch disappeared. Investigators found his lamp and hat deep within the mine, but no trace of the miner. Soon lights and machinery began to fail or work erratically for no apparent reason. Men became hesitant to work the mine. Finally it was "condemned" and shut down.

     “‘This was the mine in which our Canadian friend was interested and wanted us to help investigate. Although spelunking is usually confined to exploration of naturally formed caves, our curiosity was great enough to spur us on to such an unusual form of research.

     “‘We arrived in the mining town, which was near the Newfoundland-Quebec border, at 11:30 a.m. on March 22 and lodged at the local hotel.

    “‘The next day we got our equipment together, loaded up our jeep and headed for the mine. At the entrance we were stopped by two policemen who warned us not to go inside. When we persisted, they threatened to arrest us. So we left, resolving to return on foot after dark. At 1:30 a.m. we again set out for the mine.     

    “‘This time we bypassed the police and approached the mine from a different direction. We met no interference along the way and shortly arrived at the