However the plot was already in motion when Napoleon was still in Egypt. It was largely luck that Napoleon was in the right place at the right time. Other "swords" were considered before Napoleon. Napoleon was considered the least political of those available. One has to wonder if, at the time, the other members of the plot didn't think they were getting the best of Napoleon by putting him in the leading position. If things went badly, they must have thought they could offer him up as the sacrifice to save themselves.