You tend to get a bit jumpy when you’re plotting to overthrow a government, it seems.

>The story is told from this period of [Napoleon](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/50/Jacques-Louis_David_-_The_Emperor_Napoleon_in_His_Study_at_the_Tuileries_-_Google_Art_Project.jpg) plotting at [Talleyrand](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/a6/Charles_Maurice_de_Talleyrand-P%C3%A9rigord_by_Fran%C3%A7ois_G%C3%A9rard%2C_1808.jpg)’s house [**with the purpose of planning to overthrow the French Directory**] when loud noises were heard in the street below. Fearing they were about to be arrested, the conspirators blew out the candles, rushed to the balcony and were hugely relieved to see the commotion had been caused by a carriage accident involving gamblers returning from the Palais-Royal. _______________________________ **Source:** Roberts, Andrew. "Brumaire." *Napoleon: A Life*. New York: Penguin, 2014. 213-14. Print. **Original Source Listed:** Rose, *Napoleon* I p. 223. _______________________________ **Further Reading:** [Napoleone di Buonaparte / Napoléon Bonaparte / Napoleon I](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Napoleon) [Charles Maurice de Talleyrand-Périgord / Prince of Benevento / Prince of Talleyrand](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_Maurice_de_Talleyrand-P%C3%A9rigord)