$SIG{ALRM} = sub { print "...timeout"; next READING; };

my $number = 1;

READING: while ( $number < 10 ) {

   eval {

      alarm(3);

      print $number;
   
      if ( $number == 3 ) { sleep 4; } # This is to simulate the delay the routines may generate...
   
      $number++;
   
      print "\n";
      
   }

}

if ($@) { # this I copied from the Camel book, but not sure about what it means and if it is really necessary in this case... (I donīt want to 'die'; i just want to go to the 'next' iteration.)
    if ($@ =~ /timeout/) {
                            # timed out; do what you will here
    } else {
        alarm(0);           # clear the still-pending alarm
        die;                # propagate unexpected exception
    } 
}