But what stranger would be likely to quarrel with Rachel ?" "Egad, if you come to that, sir, a stranger's more likely to pick a quarrel with her than one of us," rejoined John Massingbird.
"It was no stranger," said Mr.Verner, shaking his head.

"We do not _quarrel_ with strangers.

Had any stranger accosted Rachel at night, in that lonely spot, with rude words, she would naturally have called out for help; which it is certain she did not do, or young Broom and Mrs.
Roy must have heard her.

Rely upon it, that man in the lane is the one we must look for." "But where to look ?" debated Frederick Massingbird.
"There it is! The inference would be that he was coming to Verner's Pride; being on its direct way and nearly close upon it.

But, the only tall men (as the boy describes) at Verner's Pride, are you three and Bennet.