I changed the code so that it puts the entire output into a string, does a $len = (length $output), and then prints $len and $output. If that isn't the right number, I'll eat my hat*.

amelinda

* I am prefectly safe in this, as I own no hats. No, wait, I own a pith helmet, and I'm not going to eat that... uhm, if that isn't the right number, I'll eat.... soybeans, yeah that's it.**

** Mmmmm, edomame.