Suddenly a loud knocking was heard at the outer gate, and a demand for entrance, in the king's name.
The Admiral directed one of the gentlemen, named Le Bonne, to go down and unbar the gate.

As he did so, Cosseins, an officer of Anjou's household rushed in, followed by fifty soldiers, and stabbed Le Bonne to the heart.

The soldiers had been despatched by the king, himself, under pretence of guarding the Huguenots; and twelve hundred arquebusiers had also been posted, under the same pretext, in the neighbourhood.
The faithful Swiss defended the inner door and, when driven back, defended for a time a barricade hastily thrown up on the stairs.
One of the Huguenot gentlemen rushed into the Admiral's room, with the news that the gate had been forced.

The Admiral calmly replied: "I have kept myself for a long time in readiness for death.

Save yourselves, if you can.