that he could tantalize investors with. >> reporter: shaffer told karl that standefer was a con man who had fooled newspapers and tv. the key, kirk that the cons always had a kernel of truth. the japanese did hide gold on some hospital ships. and there were dragon jars. but, shaffer claims, standefer never had any intention of going after them. >> he seemed to be much more interested in just keeping the game going. >> correct. >> reporter: than in actually finding any treasure. >> exactly. >> reporter: the artifacts karl had seen from the various ships and digs? according to kirk, they were planted there by dennis himself. it is called salting the site. it was, it now seemed, the teacher all a big lie. the adventure, the dreams come true, the friendship with dennis standefer. for that, karl, completely overtaken by his dreams, had left his own father behind, in his time of need. ever want to be able to say you were right, dad, after all? >> yeah, i would. i never had that opportunity. >> reporter: what do you do about a thing like that? >> i took it out on myself a lot. i mean, i was depressed. and then it became, you know, more