ok:

use Data::Dumper;
print Dumper $version_on_disk, "disk";
print Dumper $version_dns, "dns";
[download]

gives

$VAR1 = '1195874';
$VAR2 = 'disk';
$VAR1 = '1195874';
$VAR2 = 'dns';
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Update: with $Data::Dumper::Useqq = 1 ; I see an extra char indeed:

$VAR1 = 1195874;
$VAR2 = "disk";
$VAR1 = "\a1195874";
$VAR2 = "dns";
[download]

So now I have to figure out why it gets here and how to get rid of it. Thanks! (no votes left today, I'll appoint votes tomorrow)