“I move to strike the words ‘scuffle’ and ‘struggle’ as conclusions of the witness, ” Mason said.
“Motion’s granted.”
“Just what did you hear?” Scudder asked.
“Well, I heard just what I told you. I don’t know how to express it otherwise.”
“You heard the sound of feet on the deck above you?”
“Yes.”
“And what was the nature of that sound?”
“It was a series of rapid scuffs, with dragging sounds in between, just the sort of noises which would be made by two people...”
“Never mind that,” Scudder said. “I think the Court understands what you heard. Now tell what you did.”
“Well,” she said, “after a few minutes of that, I started to go up the stairs to the boat deck to see what was happening. I was half way up the stairs when I heard the sound of a shot. When I got to the top of the stairs I...”