CHAPTER 20: The Tocsin.
As soon as Francois had finished his account of the attempted assassination of the Admiral, he and Philip sallied out, the latter having hastily armed himself.
"I must go back to the Louvre," Francois said, "and take my place by the King of Navarre.

He is going to see the king, and to demand permission to leave Paris at once.

Conde and La Rochefoucault are going to see the king, as soon as they return from the Admiral's, for the same purpose; as it is evident their lives are not safe here." Philip made his way to the Admiral's house in the Rue de Bethisy.
Numbers of Huguenot gentlemen were hurrying in that direction; all, like himself, armed, and deeply moved with grief and indignation; for Coligny was regarded with a deep affection, as well as reverence, by his followers.

Each, as he overtook others, eagerly inquired the news; for as yet most of them had learned nothing beyond vague rumours of the affair.
Philip's account of it increased their indignation.

So it was no act of a mere fanatic, but the work of the Guises, and probably of Catharine and Anjou.
In a short time between two and three hundred gentlemen were gathered in the courtyard and antechamber of Coligny's house.