The Adventure of Sherlock Holmes' Smarter Brother Sacker, shares a similar name with that originally applied to John Watson, Ormond Sacker. The film's title and premise are a joke referring to the character of Mycroft Holmes, Sherlock Holmes' "older" brother, who was by both of their estimates a good deal smarter than Sherlock. He was, however, too lazy to become a detective, and did indispensable work for the British government. Mycroft was described by Sherlock in conversation with Watson: Mycroft is mentioned briefly in the beginning of the film, which presupposes that Holmes was one of three brothers. Sigerson's name refers to an alias used by Sherlock
Mycroft Holmes [...] the most indispensable man in the country." He apparently serves as a sort of human computer, as stated in "The Bruce-Partington Plans": Mycroft appears or is mentioned in four stories by Doyle: "The Greek Interpreter", "The Final Problem", "The Empty House" and "The Bruce-Partington Plans". While he does occasionally exert himself in these stories on behalf of his brother, he on the whole remains a sedentary problem-solver, providing solutions based on seemingly no evidence and trusting Sherlock to handle any of the practical details. In fact, Mycroft's own lack of practicality is a severe handicap despite his inductive talents: